Why am I losing my hair? ProDerm’s guide to hair loss
Hair loss, can be a very traumatising experience, even more in women than in men. It is essential to try and work out why the hair is falling in order to prevent it worsening and even to reverse it.
The term alopecia is the medical term used to describe all forms of hair loss, whatever the cause.
There are many causes for hair loss but broadly speaking it can be broken down into scarring and non-scarring alopecia. The non-scarring variants usually respond quite well to treatment as the condition is reversible, but scarring hair loss can cause permanent damage and may never regrow, so treating the cause early is essential.
Non-scarring hair loss
In this type of hair loss, the scalp looks normal with very little redness inflammation, swelling, tenderness, pus formation and there is no scarring.
The common causes are:
Genetic hair loss which can affect both men and women and is usually termed “pattern alopecia“.
Stress related hair loss or telogen effluvium
Deficiencies, e.g. iron or vitamin deficiency
Hormonal problems, e.g. thyroid problems or polycystic ovarian syndrome
Progressive age related hair loss
Other causes e.g. side effects of medication etc
Scarring hair loss
This type of hair loss is normally caused by an inflammatory process in the scalp giving rise to redness, swelling, pain or itching, pus, scaling and of course, scarring
Causes of scarring alopecia:
Frontal fibrosing alopecia
Lichen planopilaris
Lupus
Central cicatricial alopecia
Traction or traumatic alopecia
Whatever the cause of hair loss, it is essential to have it diagnosed quickly by a dermatologist in order that treatment can be instated at the soonest opportunity.
