On average, about 100 hairs
are lost from the head every day. The hair falls out
naturally and is replaced by a new hair. Hair loss,
baldness or alopecia results when hair loss occurs
at an abnormally high rate, while hair replacement
occurs at an abnormally slow rate, or while normal
hairs are replaced by thinner and shorter ones.
What causes it?
Possible causes of hair
loss include:
A family history of baldness (especially male-pattern
baldness)
Certain diseases, e.g. diabetes mellitus, thyroid
disorders
Scalp infection or skin damage
Some medications, e.g. anti-cancer drugs, hypotensive
drugs, anti-depressants
Radiotherapy
Poor nutrition, e.g. inadequate protein or iron
Stress
Smoking can cause
impotence and premature baldness in men.
Non-pathological
hair loss is a normal physiological phenomenon.
It is important to seek dermatologist's
opinion or medical advice to identify
any underlying causes before starting
any treatment.
What
are the early signs and symptoms?
If you have male-pattern
baldness, you may experience hair loss as early as
your teen years. It is typically characterized by
hair loss that begins at the temples and the crown,
resulting in partial or complete baldness.
With alopecia areata, you
will notice small and round patchy hair loss on the
scalp.
How
can I prevent it?
Currently there is no way
to prevent male pattern baldness (which seems to involve
hormonal and genetic factors) from occurring.
What should I do if
I have suspicious signs and symptoms?
If you notice that your hair
fails to grow out normally, continual hair loss is
suspected, or the skin under the involved area is
abnormal, you should consult a doctor.
What
is the treatment?
The doctor may examine
hair sample under microscope, or carry out other investigations
like blood tests and tissue sampling to find out the
type and cause of the baldness.
Treatment for baldness
is available and may include medications to help promote
hair growth, surgery (e.g. hair transplantation),
or cosmetic treatment to hide hair loss, alone or
in combination. Drug treatment can promote hair growth
or delay hair loss, but the period of treatment may
be prolonged and results vary among patients. The
doctor will recommend the optimal treatment depending
on the cause, along with the extent to which it affects
the patient's life, and the presence of any other
medical conditions.
How can I help myself?
It should be noted that non-pathological
hair loss is a normal physiological phenomenon. It is important
to seek dermatologist's opinion or medical advice to identify
any underlying causes before starting any treatment.
Do not use drugs without a doctor's
prescription as wrong use of these drugs may lead to serious
side effects, such as irritation of the scalp, loss of sex
drive or impotence.
If you have any suspicions, you
should seek medical advice.
| Important notices