Hair Loss Causes & Treatment

Many conditions, diseases, and improper hair care can result in hair loss - otherwise known as alopecia. The most common cause of hair loss is hereditary thinning or baldness. While daily shedding of up to 100 hairs a day is normal, people who notice their hair shedding in large amounts or who develop patches of baldness should consult Dr. Oshman for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of Hair Loss

  • Excessive or improper use of styling products such as perms, dyes, gels, relaxers or sprays can cause weathering or hair breakage resulting in the appearance of hair loss.
  • Hairstyles that pull on the hair such as ponytails and braids can result in bald areas known as a traction alopecia.
  • Psychological imbalances result in patients pulling out their hair in large clumps.
  • Physical stress such as childbirth, surgery, high fever or a severe infection can result in a generalized hair loss known as a telogen effluvium.
  • Emotional stress such as the death of a loved one can also result in a generalized hair loss.
  • Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, inadequate protein or iron in the diet can result in hair loss.
  • Certain disease states such as thyroid disease may result in hair thinning.
  • Prescription medications may have a side effect of hair loss in some people. These medications include blood thinners, high dose vitamin A, antidepressants, birth control pills and antihypertensives to name a few. These medications should not be stopped. You should consult Dr. Oshman if you believe medication is the cause of your hair loss.
  • Hormonal imbalances can result in hair loss.
  • Cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy may result in hair loss known as an anagen effluvium.
  • A fungal infection of the scalp commonly called ringworm can cause hair loss especially in children
  • An autoimmune phenomenon known as alopecia areata results in a pattern of round patches of hair loss.

Treatment for Hair Loss

Before any treatment of hair loss can begin the correct diagnosis of your personal reason for hair loss must be made. A thorough history of your condition needs to be heard and evaluated. Blood work may need to be ordered to evaluate your condition. A hair pull test or fungal culture may be necessary.

Depending on your diagnosis there are topical, oral or injectable medications available to treat your hair loss.

Call Dr. Oshman for your personalized evaluation and treatment of hair loss today.