Hair LossThere are many cause of hair loss, or alopecia. The most common and well known is androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness. This usually starts in the 20's and gradually continues until most of the hair on the front and top of the scalp is reduced. Women can also be affected by a silimar type of genetic hair loss, but their pattern is different with more diffuse loss and preservation of the frontal hairline. Alopecia areata is often a reversible condition that shows up as round patches of baldness on the scalp. Beard areas, eyebrows and even eyelashes may be affected. The cause is unknown. Telogen effluvium is an acute loss of hair diffusely. It is the result of recent stress to the body, such as in cases of high fever, child birth, surgery or other medical conditions. In postpartum telogen effluvium, hair loss may begin about 4 months after delivery and continue for another 4 months. Eventually, the lost hairs are replaced. A workup for hair loss is recommended when a cause is not obvious. This may include a skin biopsy, thyroid testing or other blood laboratory workup. Treatment for alopecia varies depending on the cause. These range from hair transplant for androgenetic alopecia, steroids for alopecia areata, to observation for telogen effluvium. (AAD phamphlet) |
