What health conditions cause hair loss?

Author: Howell Kuhic  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Medical and Other Conditions
There are a wide range of conditions that can bring on hair loss, with some of the most common being pregnancy, thyroid disorders, and anemia. Others include autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, Rogers says.

What underlying medical conditions can cause hair loss?

Symptom of a medical illness — Hair loss can be one of the symptoms of a medical illness, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), syphilis, a thyroid disorder (such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), a sex-hormone imbalance or a serious nutritional problem, especially a deficiency of protein, iron, zinc or ...

Can a serious illness cause hair loss?

Infections and illnesses can also lead to hair loss. A high fever or a severe infection can all contribute to temporary hair loss. These physical traumas may include fungal skin infections, as well as bacterial infections like syphilis, which can all be responsible for balding or thinning hair.

Is hair loss a symptom of anything?

It is related to aging, heredity, and changes in the hormone testosterone. Inherited, or pattern baldness, affects many more men than women. Male pattern baldness can occur at any time after puberty. About 80% of men show signs of male pattern baldness by age 70 years.

What medical conditions affect hair?

Hair disorders can be caused by any of the following:
  • Alopecia (nonscarring). Skin disorders, certain drugs, certain diseases, autoimmunity, iron deficiency, severe stress, scalp radiation, pregnancy, or pulling at your own hair.
  • Alopecia (scarring). ...
  • Hirsutism. ...
  • Hair shaft disorders. ...
  • Inflammation.

Hair Loss - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

What is the main cause of sudden hair loss?

Sudden hair loss is typically a sign of two conditions: telogen effluvium or alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium is commonly caused by stress, which increases the natural rate of hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes your body to attack its hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

Why am I suddenly losing hair?

Possible causes of hair loss include stress, poor diet, and underlying medical conditions. Everyone experiences hair shedding, and it happens to each of us every day. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle, more on days you wash your hair.

What is my body lacking if Im Losing hair?

Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.

When should you start to worry about hair loss?

If more than two or three hairs are left in your hand after each tug, you may be experiencing telogen or anagen effluvium. No more than 10 hairs per 100 strands being tugged should be coming out. You'll need a doctor to determine the cause.

What is the main reason for hair loss in females?

What causes FPHL (Female Pattern Hair Loss)? Genes: Your family's genes can cause thinning of hair along the top of your head. Aging: Hormone changes as you age can cause balding. Menopause: This type of hair loss often gets worse when estrogen is lost during menopause.

Are there autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system mistakenly attacks a part of your body. When you have alopecia areata, cells in your immune system surround and attack your hair follicles (the part of your body that makes hair).

What does stress hair loss look like?

Telogen effluvium hair loss — the type of hair loss linked to stress — typically affects your scalp and may appear as patchy hair loss. However, it can also cause you to shed more body hair or notice less hair on your body ​​than you normally would.

What hormone causes hair loss in females?

As with male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness comes from hormone imbalances, specifically dihydrotestosterone imbalances, or DHT. This hormone is similar in structure to testosterone, but it is significantly more potent [3]. DHT can attach to receptors on the hair follicles, causing the follicles to shrink.

How do I know if I'm losing too much hair?

Here are some clear signs you're losing too much hair to watch out for.
  • There's hair all over your shower. ...
  • You see lots of hairs on your pillow in the morning. ...
  • You're seeing an increase in your 60-second hair count test. ...
  • Your part looks wider than it used to.

What is the best vitamin for thinning hair?

“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.

What foods cause hairloss?

FOODS THAT CAUSE HAIR LOSS
  • Dairy.
  • Sugar.
  • Refined Carbs.
  • Nuts.
  • Swordfish.
  • Greasy Food.
  • Carbonated Drinks.
  • Alcohol.

What is the best vitamin to take for hair growth?

Important nutrients for hair growth
  • B vitamins. Deficiencies in riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 have been associated with hair loss ( 2 ). ...
  • Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has several important roles that can affect hair health, including: ...
  • Vitamin D. ...
  • Iron. ...
  • Zinc.

Can thyroid problems cause thinning hair?

Hair loss and thyroid disease

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.

What are the top 10 reasons for hair loss?

The 10 Most Common Causes of Hair Loss
  • What is alopecia? The medical term for hair loss is alopecia, regardless of the cause. ...
  • 1) Age. ...
  • 2) Genetics. ...
  • 3) Hormonal changes. ...
  • 4) A stressful life event. ...
  • 5) Nutritional deficiencies. ...
  • 6) Autoimmune disease. ...
  • 7) Infections.

Can low iron cause hair loss?

Yes. Most hair loss due to an iron deficiency can be reversed. If you've been experiencing hair loss and think it may be due to an iron deficiency, Dr. Piliang recommends talking to your doctor.

What kind of doctor should a woman see for hair loss?

It's best to make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists are the experts in diagnosing and treating hair loss. A dermatologist can tell you whether it's FPHR or something else that is causing your hair loss.

How do I know if my hair loss is hormonal?

Hormonal Hair Loss: Gradual Thinning Of Hair

In women, androgenic alopecia begins with a gradual widening of the part line, followed by increased thinning starting at the top of the head. “A patient may begin to notice a thinner ponytail or may say 'I see more of my scalp,'” St. Surin-Lord says.

What hormones should be tested for hair loss?

There are several hormones which you can screen in case of having massive hair loss. They are Prolactin, Testosterone, DHEA, luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone. Thyroid Level Test: This is another most important test which you can go for; they are T3, T4, and TSH.

How do you know if you're going bald from stress?

How Do I Know If My Hair Is Falling Out Due To Stress? More than 100 strands of hair clogging your shower drain or on the hair brush is a sure shot sign of hair loss. In telogen effluvium, you will notice hair thinning on the scalp. With alopecia, you may notice bald patches of hair on the scalp.

Is my hair loss stress or genetic?

Genetics play a large role in determining how much hair loss you'll see as you age. However, other factors — such as stress levels, nutrition, and medications — also cause balding. Genetic hair loss can't be reversed, but there are steps you can take to slow it down and maximize your hair growth potential.

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