Hair loss: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Hair loss is a rising problem that has engulfed a major section of the world’s population. Usually, a problem is easier to solve, if it is properly understood and its underlying cause is identified. The Dermalife center is synonymous with brilliance for the treatment of your hair. With the power of the latest technology, sophisticated instruments, and well-experienced doctors, the center is helping people adore their lives more than ever. Here we discuss some common causes, frequent symptoms and methods of diagnosis for hair fall.

Causes of Hair Loss

The first step is to establish the reason for hair loss. There are several stipulations that can trigger hair loss.

• If you have a family history of baldness, you are also prone to hair loss. Certain sex hormones can also trigger hereditary hair loss. However, it can affect both males and females equally.
• Hair loss may occur due to a halt in the hair growth cycle caused by illness, surgery, or some event. In such cases, hairs usually start growing without treatment.
• Some hormonal changes like pregnancy, childbirth, discontinuing birth control pills, and menopause are also prominent causes of the problem.
• Medical conditions like thyroid, autoimmune diseases attacking hair follicles, and scalp infection can cause permanent hair loss due to scarring.
• Medication for diseases like cancer, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart problems, and depression are common triggers for baldness.
• Physical and emotions shock like a death in the family or sudden weight loss shoot up the stress level and cause noticeable hair loss.

Symptoms of Hair Loss

Hair loss usually occurs in small patches and has visible indications even in initial stages.

• A first common indication is observing clumps of hairs on the pillow or in shower.
• Visible coin-sized patches on your scalp also signify hair loss.
• Hair loss also affects nails. Your nails can become dull, rough, thin, fragile, and have white spots or lines.
• Exclamation mark hairs, cadaver hairs, and white hairs are also some clinical signs of excessive hair loss.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of hair loss is usually simple and straightforward. Your doctor will determine the hair loss by observing the symptoms, by looking at the extent of hair fall or by examining a few hair samples from the balding spot under the microscope. Your doctor may also suggest scalp biopsy to rule out any chances of fungal or other autoimmune disorders. If the doctor suspects some autoimmune conditions due to the presence of abnormal antibodies, he or she may suggest a blood test also. The blood test also helps to identify conditions like iron levels, antinuclear antibody test, free and total testosterone, etc.