On average, a person loses about 50–100 hair shafts a day. It is normal and rarely noticed because hairs grow back at a steady rate. Hair loss and thinning hair occurs when hairs don’t grow back or when hair follicles go into resting phase for longer than usual. Baldness can be genetic and is common in aging adults. Even with proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle, excessive hair loss can also happen due to medical and environmental conditions.Alopecia
Alopecia is a medical condition that is characterized by excessive hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is hereditary. The genes determine when your hair will start to fall out and when the hair follicles will enter the resting phase. Scarring alopecia occurs when the hair follicles are damaged due to a disease, such as lupus. Hair follicles become inflamed and are permanently scarred, preventing hair growth. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. The exact cause of it is unknown. Traction alopecia develops from excessive hairstyling and pulling on hair strands.
Medications and Medical Treatments
Certain medications can cause hair loss. Drugs that treat gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure may cause excessive hair loss in some people. Birth control pills may also cause hair loss.
Undergoing cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, will cause hair loss. Patients lose all hair during the treatment but it starts growing back once the treatment ends.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes and imbalances cause excessive hair loss. Pregnancy changes how hair grows. Some women may experience hair loss during pregnancy. For others, hair may be growing thicker and fuller but starts falling out shortly after childbirth. Shedding of hair usually occurs about three months after the delivery. Hormonal imbalances accompany menopause and may cause excessive hair loss and even baldness in some women.
Hair Treatments
Chemical hair treatments, such as coloring, bleaching, straightening or permanent curls, can dry out the hair shafts and cause breakage and hair loss. Styling and brushing hair too much may also cause excessive shedding.
Infections
Fungal infections, such as ringworm, affect hair and scalp and cause hair loss. If the condition is treated with medication in a timely manner, hair starts to grow back at a normal rate.
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
Trichotillomania is a mental illness characterized by a patient’s impulsive urge to pull on his/her hair. It often leads to bald spots. The exact cause of this illness is unknown.
