What Are the Causes of Excessive Hair Loss?

Loss of an excessive amount of your hair may occur over a short period of time or gradually. Hair loss can be a temporary or permanent condition and can occur in both men and women and in people of any age. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, causes of excessive hair loss include medications and family history.

Family History

• You may inherit either male or female pattern baldness from your parents, which causes excessive hair loss in particular locations on your scalp.

Habits

• If you regularly pull on your hair, excessively brush it or style it in tightly pulled back ponytails or braids, you may experience excessive hair loss.

Hormones

• Sudden changes in your hormones, such as after giving birth or during menopause may cause excessive hair loss in women.

Medical Treatments

• Excessive hair loss may be a result of going through medical treatments including radiation or chemotherapy for conditions such as cancer.

Chronic Diseases

• Diseases of your thyroid gland, lupus or diabetes are chronic conditions that may cause you to lose excessive amounts of your hair.

Nutrition

• Nutritional disorders such as protein deficiencies, anorexia nervosa and malnutrition may cause excessive hair loss that can affect both your scalp and body hair.