What Is It?

Hair loss or, Alopecia, can have many different causes and requires a detailed history to determine the most likely cause. Some hair loss can be linked to stressors, common baldness, emotional disorder or fungal infection. Most cases will respond to medical treatment.

What Causes It?

A physical examination is helpful in making an accurate diagnosis. Several different factors include childbirth, high fever, severe infections or flu, thyroid disease, inadequate protein in diet, certain medications, cancer treatments, low serum iron, major surgery, chronic illness, hormone imbalances, fungus infections, emotional stress, and improper grooming. Hereditary balding or thinning is the most common cause of thinning hair. It is often necessary to obtain blood tests to determine the underlying cause of hair loss.

What Can Be Done?

There are many treatments and options for hair loss. Topical steroids and steroid injections into the scalp can help those suffering from hair loss or thinning by promoting new hair growth. Several oral medications are available for men with hereditary hair loss, which may slow the progression of the loss and increase hair count. Hair transplantation and scalp reductions are also other options.

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