Overview
Hair loss can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard area, or body hair. It may happen gradually over years or appear more suddenly over weeks to months. Hair loss itself is often not dangerous, but it can affect self-esteem and may sometimes point to an underlying health problem.
Key Symptoms
Signs can include more hair on a pillow, in the shower, or on a hairbrush; a widening part; a receding hairline; overall thinning; or one or more bald patches. Some people also notice broken hairs, scalp itching, redness, scaling, pain, or burning. Changes in nails can happen with some conditions that cause patchy hair loss.
Causes and Risk Factors
Common causes include inherited pattern hair loss, aging, hormonal changes, recent physical or emotional stress, childbirth, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medicines. Hair loss can also happen with autoimmune conditions, scalp infections, or from frequent pulling or tight hairstyles. Risk factors depend on the cause and may include family history, some medical conditions, harsh chemical treatments, heat styling, and traction from braids, weaves, or tight ponytails.
Who Is Affected
Hair loss can affect people of any age, sex, and ethnic background. Pattern hair loss becomes more common with age and can affect both men and women. Some forms are more common after major illness, rapid weight loss, pregnancy, or during times of hormonal change.
Prevention
Not all hair loss can be prevented, especially when it is strongly linked to genetics or autoimmune disease. Gentle hair care may help reduce breakage and traction-related loss: avoid very tight hairstyles, limit harsh chemical processing, and reduce excessive heat when possible. Managing medical conditions and discussing medicine side effects with a healthcare professional may also help.
Diagnosis and Tests
A clinician may ask about when the hair loss started, whether it is shedding or patchy, recent illnesses or stress, family history, hairstyles, and medicines or supplements. The scalp and hair are usually examined closely, and sometimes blood tests are used to look for causes such as thyroid problems or low iron. In some cases, a hair pull test, fungal testing, or a small scalp biopsy may be considered.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause, so finding the reason for hair loss is important. Care may include treating an underlying medical condition, changing hair practices, stopping a triggering product or medicine when appropriate, or using treatments recommended by a clinician. Some people also use cosmetic approaches such as changing hairstyle, hair fibers, wigs, or head coverings.
Living With It
Hair loss can affect confidence, body image, and mental well-being, even when it is medically mild. Support from family, friends, support groups, or a mental health professional may help. It can also help to take photos over time so changes are easier to discuss with a clinician.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if hair loss is sudden, patchy, rapidly worsening, or happening with itching, pain, redness, scaling, or drainage from the scalp. Also get checked if you have hair loss along with fatigue, weight change, menstrual changes, signs of hormonal imbalance, or if a child has thinning or bald patches. A clinician should also assess hair loss that starts after a new medicine or after a major illness.