Hair falls out as a natural part of its growth cycle, and it is perfectly normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day which are at the end of the telogen, or rest, phase of their cycle. When a hair is shed, a new hair begins growing from the same follicle. Certain conditions can cause hair to enter the telogen cycle prematurely, or can damage or destroy the follicles to prevent future growth.
Hormonal Causes Of Hair Loss
Hyperandrogenism is a condition in which the body overproduces androgen. This male hormone can cause hair loss in women and its excess can be brought on by hormone treatments, menopause or conditions such as premenstrual syndrome. Other symptoms of hyperandrogenism which may accompany hair loss include hormonal acne and excess facial hair on the chin, top lip and sides of the face. Your voice may also deepen if you suffer from hyperandrogenism and your menstrual cycle may become irregular or even absent.
Hair And Scalp Damage
Chemical treatments such as dyes and bleaches or straighteners and permanent waves may damage hair if done incorrectly, too often or on already fragile hair. Hair damaged by chemicals can become brittle and weak, breaking off near the scalp or falling out. If you are otherwise healthy, but have experienced hair loss due to chemical damage, cease using chemicals in your hair and wait for the damaged hair to grow out and be replaced by new, healthy hair. Hair follicles may be absent in areas where the skin is scarred, and large scars can effectively create bald patches on the scalp.
Telogen Effluvium
Hair can enter the resting phase of its cycle prematurely due to illness or stress, causing an increase in the rate at which hair is shed. This type of hair loss usually occurs uniformly across the entire scalp, so a gradual thinning is noticeable but bald patches are uncommon. This condition can be caused by high fever, infection, flu, major surgeries, some chronic illnesses, thyroid disease, low protein or serum iron levels, medications, birth control and cancer treatments. In most cases, hair returns to a normal state of growth a few months after the cause has been removed.
Other Hair And Scalp Disease
Tinea capitis, or scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that results in patches of scaling that spread across the scalp resulting in broken hair, swelling, redness and oozing or weeping fluids from the scalp. Scalp ringworm is contagious and can be completely cured with oral medication. Cicatricial alopecia, or scarring alopecia, is a rare disorder associated with itching or pain. Inflamed hair follicles will cause damage and patchy hair loss, followed by scarring and permanent hair loss in the affected areas.
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