What Kind of MD Would Diagnose Hair Loss?

Hair loss can occur in both men and women and can be very frustrating, especially when the cause is unknown. Often doctors can help pinpoint a cause and in many cases treatment may be available to help the condition.

Doctors Who Diagnose Hair Loss

• When you think you are experiencing hair loss, you may be asking yourself which doctor you should see. Several types can test and diagnose hair loss conditions.

The General Practitioner

• General practitioners can treat all kinds of conditions and they are a good place to start. General practitioners can run tests for you if they feel it is necessary. If they feel you need to be seen by a specialist, there are a couple types of doctors they may refer you to.

The Dermatologist

• A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of hair, skin, and nails. The hair loss condition may be caused by certain skin conditions such as eczema (a chronic skin disorder that involves scaly skin and rashes), alopecia (hair loss from the head or body, sometimes resulting in baldness), ringworm (a skin condition caused by fungus), psoriasis (a skin condition that causes redness and irritation) or skin allergies. All of these fall within dermatologists' expertise.

The Endocrinologist

• An endocrinologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats hormone imbalances and problems as well as diseases that affect the glands. Sometimes hair loss can be caused by hormone imbalances or thyroid conditions and therefore an endocrinologist may be able to diagnose the reason for hair loss.

The Decision

• The type of health insurance you have may be the deciding factor regarding which doctor you should see. A general practitioner is always a good place to start because they are able to refer you the appropriate type of doctor if it is necessary for you to see a specialist. Any of these three doctors can provide testing if necessary to diagnose the reason for the hair loss.