Learn about the various symptoms and causes of hair loss, including age, genetics, hormonal changes, and medical conditions. Recognize signs like patches, thinning, and sudden shedding, and understand the risk factors. This guide offers comprehensive insight into hair thinning for better awareness and management.

Comprehensive Guide to Hair Loss: Symptoms and Underlying Causes

Hair thinning can stem from scalp problems or other health-related issues. While some hair loss is temporary, most cases are permanent, often influenced by age, hormonal changes, genetics, or underlying health conditions. Excessive shedding may lead to baldness, with inherited traits being a leading factor.

Key Symptoms to Recognize

Hair loss appears in various ways, affected by different causes. It can develop gradually or suddenly, impacting specific areas or the whole scalp.

Common signs include:

Localized bald patches
Clusters of hair loss on areas like the scalp, eyebrows, or beard, often preceded by itching or tenderness before hair falls out.

Thinness at the crown

Age-related thinning

Diffuse hair shedding

Sudden hair loss episodes

Spreading scalp patches

This pattern is common with aging. Men may see a receding hairline, while women often notice a wider central part.

In women, a receding hairline is typical of hair thinning.

Generalized shedding

This can be caused by treatments like chemotherapy, with hair gradually regrowth possible.

Rapid loss due to stress

Intense emotional or physical stress can cause sudden shedding, noticeable during washing or combing. Usually temporary, leading to thinning.

Spreading scalp infections

Ringworm may cause red, swollen patches that ooze, with broken hairs in the affected zones.

Underlying Causes of Hair Loss

Normal hair shedding ranges from 50-100 strands daily, but hair loss becomes noticeable when growth slows or stops. Contributing factors include:

Radiation treatments

Post-therapy, hair might not fully recover its previous density.

Stress

High emotional or physical stress may temporarily induce hair fall.

Inherited genetics

Genetics are the primary cause of hereditary hair thinning, which worsens with age.

Medications

Drugs for depression, gout, blood pressure, or cancer can have hair loss as a side effect.

Health or hormonal conditions

Issues like thyroid dysfunction, pregnancy, menopause, or scalp infections such as ringworm and trichotillomania can cause both temporary and permanent hair loss.

Risk Factors

Age

Family history

Poor diet

Sudden weight fluctuations

Diabetes

Stress

Lupus