Baldness: Know about the various types and their causes

Hair loss (Alopecia)-whether in the form of hair fall or hair thinning is extremely common in both men and women. Baldness becomes common with age and for some, it comes as a result of poor lifestyle habits, health conditions, nutritional deficiency, heredity, and stressful work routine. Interestingly, around 50% of men face the problem of baldness in their 50s while most women are likely to experience hair loss post-menopause. Women generally don’t completely go bald; they experience massive hair thinning, which sometimes leads to enhanced scalp visibility. Alopecia (the medical term for baldness) may be permanent or temporary and your doctor may prescribe you a treatment depending on its nature.

Types of baldness

1. Androgenetic Alopecia-  “M” shape Baldness
2. Telogen Effluvium- Temporary Hair Loss
3. Anagen Effluvium- Due To An Acute Injury To The Hair Follicles
4. Alopecia Areata- Autoimmune Disorder
5. Tinea Capitis- Due To Fungal Infection 
6. Cicatricial Alopecia-Scarring Patches of Hair Loss
7. Hair Shaft Abnormalities
8. FAQs
9. Takeaway

1. Androgenetic alopecia: M-shaped baldness

Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of baldness that affects both men and women at some point in life. It is a type of hair loss disorder in which terminal hairs gets transformed into indeterminate and eventually into vellus. Simply, in androgenetic alopecia, hair loss happens in a particular fashion, starting from the area above the temples and receding hairline that creates a M shaped bald patch. The hair loss pattern  in men and women differs in some ways. Females are more likely to experience a gradual thinning of hair all over the scalp and do not get a receding hairline.

2. Telogen effluvium: temporary hair loss

Telogen effluvium is a type of temporary hair loss that generally occurs as a result of shock, stress, or a traumatic event. In this condition, men and women experience massive hair fall during times of grief, sadness, stress; however, its temporary and healthy hair grows back usually when the impact of emotional turmoil lightens. A person is described to have chronic telogen effluvium if he/she frequently experiences episodes of hair thinning or hair fall for more than 6 months. Any hair fall for lesser time is said to be a short-term telogen effluvium.

3. Anagen effluvium

Anagen effluvium is referred to as hair shedding that occurs during the anagen phase of the natural hair growth cycle. It generally occurs in both men and women as a result of injury to the hair follicles due to an endogenous or exogenous cause, which results in falling of structurally damaged hairs. Diffuse alopecia (hair loss) generally occurs over a couple of days and does not cause scarring. Anagen effluvium is more likely to affect a person of any age, ethnicity, and gender receiving chemotherapy or having autoimmune conditions.

4 Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes heavy hair fall in both men and women. It is a condition in which the body starts attacking its hair follicles, resulting in the formation of bald patches all over the scalp. This type of baldness is passed onto next generations and people having a family history of massive hair fall are at a greater risk of developing alopecia areata. Most people suffering from Alopecia areata experience hair loss in the form of patches. However, the extent of hair fall in people suffering from alopecia areata may widely differ from each other. 

5 Tinea capitis: ringworm of the scalp

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that normally attacks the health of your scalp. It is also known as the ringworm of the scalp because it forms a ring-like patch on the surface of the scalp it affects. The fungus that causes circular patches on the scalp makes follicles in the affected area brittle and fragile, thus causing hair loss. Tinea capitis is contagious and you may get it through personal contact or by sharing combs, bedsheets, pillows, etc.. Unlike other forms of hair loss, ringworm infection causes bald patches in women too, which makes it a matter of concern for ladies.

6 Cicatricial Alopecia-Scarring Patches of Hair Loss

Scarring alopecia, commonly known as cicatricial alopecia, is a hair loss problem that affects roughly 3% of people vulnerable to hair loss. It affects a number of men and women of all ages around the world. Scarring alopecia has different forms and many of them potentially cause permanent hair loss. Cicatricial alopecia damages hair follicles, which, in turn, results in the formation of scar tissue at the site of infection of the scalp. In the early stages, scarring alopecia occurs as small patches which slowly grow or spread with time. In some cases, the pace of hair loss is slow and does not cause any visible symptoms. But, some patients suffering scarring alopecia may experience severe itching, burning, and pain along with hair loss.

7 Hair Shaft Abnormalities

There are certain conditions where physical damage to hair follicles results in hair loss. Hair shaft abnormalities may also occur as a result of improper hair shaft formation by follicle. These conditions are generally determined by genetic disorders. Hair loss due to structural defects can affect many men and women across the globe. Loose anagen syndrome is one of the common hair loss conditions that occur due to abnormalities in the hair shaft.

8 FAQs

Can alopecia areata be reversed?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which a person faces baldness or hair loss in the form of patches across the scalp or body. Baldness or alopecia can attack people of all genders, ethnicities, and ages. But, we have got some great news for you. Certain hair disorders including baldness are easier to treat with  medications if diagnosed early.

How many strands do we shed every day?

Normally, everyone loses 50 to 100 hair strands as our hair repeatedly undergo shedding and regrowth phases. Any number greater than this signifies a serious problem and needs immediate attention.

Takeaway

Each of us experience hair loss at some point in time. At Dermalife, we are committed to providing our patients best solutions (medicine & hair transplant) using advanced technology and clinical expertise.