While it’s normal to lose a small amount of hair regularly, certain factors can lead to more severe hair loss. When this happens, you might lose hair slowly over time, or you might lose a lot of hair suddenly. Hair loss might only affect your scalp or you might lose hair on other parts of your body. Knowing more about the possible causes of hair loss and the symptoms to watch for can help you better understand why hair loss occurs. 

Causes of Hair Loss 

Hair loss can occur for many reasons and either be temporary or permanent. The following are some of the possible causes of hair loss. 

Heredity

Having a family history of hair loss can increase your risk of losing your hair due to heredity or genetics. Both men and women can develop hereditary hair loss as a result of having genes that cause hair follicles to become smaller over time.    

Age 

Hair loss can occur as part of the aging process. When this happens, hair follicles gradually lose their ability to grow new hair. This leads to hair thinning and hair loss. 

Underlying Medical Conditions or Skin Conditions

Several medical or skin conditions can cause hair loss to occur. Some of these include:

Alopecia areata due to an autoimmune response that causes the immune system to destroy hair follicles

Scalp psoriasis can occur in those with plaque psoriasis 

Scarring alopecia due to inflammation

Thyroid disease 

Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation

Ringworm or other scalp infections 

Hormonal Changes 

Pregnancy, menopause, changes in birth control, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other conditions can cause hair loss due to hormonal changes.

Severe Stress 

Stressful events, such as illness or trauma, can cause hair loss. Stress can also lead to self-inflicted hair pulling, known as trichotillomania. 

Hair Care

Certain types of hair care, such as hot oil treatments, hair coloring, perms, and relaxing, can cause hair loss. Wearing hair pulled back tightly on a regular basis can also cause hair loss. 

Medication

Some types of medications used for arthritis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, and other conditions can cause hair loss as a side effect.

Nutritional Deficiencies 

Not having enough protein, iron, zinc, or biotin in your body can result in hair loss.

Symptoms of Hair Loss 

Hair loss symptoms can vary, depending on the cause. 

Gradual Hair Thinning and Hair Loss

Hereditary or age-related hair loss might cause a gradual thinning at the top of your head or a receding hairline. 

Sudden Hair Loss

Large amounts of hair can fall out due to stress or some illnesses. 

Temporary, Widespread Hair Loss 

Hair loss might occur all over your body after undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, although this is usually temporary.

Patchy Hair Loss 

Alopecia areata and other conditions can cause patchy hair loss on your scalp and other parts of your body. Ringworm infections can cause patchy hair loss on your scalp, along with scaling. 

Let Us Help 

If you’re dealing with hair loss, New-U can help. To schedule a free consultation, click here.

Photo Credit: pimnana Via Pixabay