Information on Hair Loss

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, happens to women and men for a variety of reasons. Any unusual hair loss needs to be checked by a doctor because it could be the symptom of an illness such as lupus.

Identification

• Hair loss is when entire handfuls of hair come off during normal brushing or combing. It often does not grow back. Depending on the cause of alopecia, hair may also become thinner than usual, brittle and the scalp may become sore and itchy.

Causes

• Causes of hair loss include illness such as alopecia areata, taking medications such as chemotherapy drugs, sudden trauma and injury to the scalp. Genetics also plays a big role, causing male-pattern baldness in men and women.

Treatment

• Treatment depends on the cause. For cases where the cause is illness or medications, treating the illness or stopping medications brings hair growth back. But for male-pattern baldness or alopecia areata, there is no cure.