Extensive hair loss is typically characterized as an abnormal shedding of hair. The Mayo Clinic reports that the average person loses anywhere between 50 and 100 hairs a day. For the most part, these hairs are at the end of the telogen phase, or resting phase. The hair has basically completed its life cycle and will soon be pushed out of the scalp to make way for new hair. However, losing more hair than the average person is often an indication of an underlying condition.
Androgenetic Alopecia
One of the most common causes of extensive hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which is known either as male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. In both situations, it's a result of dihydrotestosterone, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Also referred to as DHT, it's a hormone derived from testosterone that bonds to the follicle, which can cause it to shrink. This shrinkage shortens the growth cycle of the affected follicles until they no longer actually produce hair.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is another cause of extensive hair loss. The actual source of the condition is still unknown, but the Mayo Clinic considers it an autoimmune disease. People suffering from this condition tend to have other family members with alopecia areata, so it's likely that there is a genetic component to the disorder. However, the Mayo Clinic also reports that there could be a trigger, such as an irritant or virus, that instigates the initial hair loss. Unlike androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata doesn't cause permanent hair loss, since many people will grow their hair back, only to lose it again at a later date.
Telogen Effluvium
Both the Mayo Clinic and the American Hair Loss Association list telogen effluvium as another cause of extensive hair loss. The name derives from the growth cycle telogen, which is the resting phase of hair. At the end of this phase, the hair sheds from the scalp. Normally, only 10 to 15 percent of hair is in this phase at one time. But telogen effluvium sees a marked increase in this percentage, causing an abnormal shedding of hair. The Mayo Clinic attributes this condition to emotional or physical stress. Much like alopecia areata, this type of hair loss isn't permanent. People typically experience a regrowth of hair after two months.
Anagen Effluvium
The American Hair Loss Association maintains that anagen effluvium may also cause extensive hair loss. This condition only affects hairs in the anagen stage, which is the growth phase of hair. Approximately 90 percent of a person's hair is in this phase at one time. Anagen effluvium is usually caused by damage to the hair matrix, like what is seen in chemotherapy where a drug targets rapidly dividing cells. Both cancer cells and hair cells share this quality. Chemo drugs are unable to discern between the two. Hair usually grows back after the instigating factor is removed.
Cicatricial Alopecia
According to the Mayo Clinic, cicatricial alopecia is another cause of extensive hair loss. This is a permanent condition characterized by a scarring of the follicle. People experiencing this condition normally are suffering from another skin condition that may cause the follicle to become inflamed. The prolonged inflammation damages the follicle to the point where it no longer produces hair.
Traction Alopecia
Much like telogen effluvium, traction alopecia is a condition characterized by trauma to the hair follicle, reports the American Hair Loss Association. However, this trauma has nothing to due with emotions, illnesses or stress. This trauma is manually inflicted on the follicles through prolonged tension of the hair shaft, as would be seen with tightly drawn hairstyles. The association also claims that it may cause permanent hair loss if not identified early.
Hormones
According to the Mayo Clinic, hormonal changes may also cause extensive hair loss, as would be seen in pregnancy or menopause. Effects are temporary; hair growth usually resumes as soon as the hormones are brought back into balance.
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