Causes of Alopecia: Know All Of Them
Will it not be nice if you get to know the causes of losing your hair?
This fall is known as Alopecia, in which we lose scalp hair.
There is various cause that contributes to the cause of Alopecia.
It ranges from issues like stress, and nutritional deficiencies, to hormonal imbalances. Since the world today is moving fast, our lifestyles have also changed. This is one primary reason for these causes to pop up.
Moreover, Alopecia develops in you by age 30, irrespective of gender.
According to Medical News Today, Alopecia affects 6.8 million people in the USA and 147 million worldwide.
But we need not panic about hair loss, as it is treatable.
In this article, we will understand and see everything we need to know about the causes of Alopecia.
Causes of Alopecia
Some of you may see hair loss when you wake up. You may also find extra hair loss during a shower. You may even start developing bald patches over your scalp.
Have you wondered why is this all happening?
These are the signs of Alopecia.
Although your hair may go completely or can grow back, depending upon the cause.
Let’s see the cause of Alopecia by Dr.Jeff Donovan who is a US and Canadian board-certified dermatologist specializing in the treatment of hair loss.
Genes and Hormones
Androgenic alopecia is the most ordinary type of Alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness.
It causes balding and a receding hairline in men. Women also experience this by general hair thinning. It can be due to genetic or hormonal issues.
This hormone is known as Dihydrotestosterone that comes from Testosterone, which is the male sex hormone. DHT weakens the hair follicles by binding to Testosterone.
Testosterones are present in women as well. When Estrogen and Testosterone, the female sex hormone, get unbalanced, DHT can lead to Androgenic Alopecia.
This can take place before menopause or with other hormonal conditions.
Stress
Excessive hair shedding starts to take place with Telogen effluvium. TE is a cause of stress and is also known as a type of Alopecia. It can occur suddenly, or your hair can begin to thin over time.
Women are more prone to Telogen Effluvium than men. Although, men might overlook Telogen Effluvium as they generally have short hair.
Some women find out that they have female-pattern hair loss because of this loss, and their hair may never look as thick as before.
Nutrition
It’s better to get in touch with your primary care physician. They can help you with the proper treatment to help you grow your hair back.
Developing a healthy diet consists of food-derived vitamins, nutrients, and enough protein.
According to Tsippora Shainhouse, Beverly Hills-based dermatologist, Alopecia could be caused by nutritional deficiencies, which include Vitamin D or low iron.
Thyroid issues
The thyroid is a gland present in the neck that controls metabolism-related hormones. Alopecia can be brought up by both low and overactive thyroid.
You can ask your doctor about a thyroid test. If you see your hair loss is accompanied by the following:
- High or low energy
- Unexplained weight changes
- Menstruation changes
Alopecia causes in females
There are various reasons, which could lead to Alopecia in females. Some of them are:
Menopause and hormone imbalances
Low-level production of Estrogen and Progesterone hormones during menopause can lead to hair loss in women.
These changes can also give rise to symptoms like the irregularity of the menstrual cycle, night sweats, dry skin, weight gain, and vaginal dryness. These issues can also worsen hair loss.
Some women can notice hair loss and hair thinning once they go off hormonal birth control pills.
Why?
Again, hormonal changes, mainly dipping Estrogen levels, can temporarily disrupt the hair lifecycle.
Sudden but temporary changes
Another common cause is Telogen Effluvium (TE).
Although TE is a temporary cause, the number of follicles changes.
For example, women have a possibility of losing hair after they give birth to a child.
By looking at the strand, you can identify hair loss due to Telogen Effluvium. They have a bulb of keratin in the root.
TE is generally caused by things that may be shocking to your body and can disrupt the lifestyle of hair.
Things that can trigger TE:
- Serious infection
- High fever
- Emotional stress
- Chronic illness
- Crash diets, eating disorders, lack of protein, and so on
Lack of vitamin B
Lacking some minerals and vitamins may also lead to hair thinning or loss in women.
Dermatologists believe that not taking enough red meat or taking a proper vegetarian diet can affect hair loss.
Iron is a mineral that helps hair and body growth. It is found in red meat and other animal foods.
Since women lose blood when they menstruate, they are more likely to be iron-deficient. They may become iron-deficient if they don’t get enough iron in their food.
Anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders can cause vitamin deficiencies and hair loss. Deficiencies in zinc, the amino acid L-lysine, B-6, and B-12 are thought to affect hair.
Causes of Alopecia in child
You may not be shocked if you see your hair falling with your age growth. But if you see the same happening in your little one, it can be disheartening.
Hair loss is common in kids, but its causes can differ from adult baldness. It has been seen that scalp disorders can lead to hair loss in children.
Tinea capitis
Sometimes, kids start sharing their hats and combs or any other personal item, increasing infections.
Tinea Capitis is also known as scalp ringworm, although a fungus causes it.
Kids who develop Tinea Capitis develop black spot-like patches with their hair loss. Their skin can also turn scaly, red, and bumpy.
Swollen glands and fever are other possible symptoms of Tinea Capitis.
Trichotillomania
When kids start pulling their hair out, it is known as Trichotillomania disorder.
It is also termed obsessive-compulsive disorder.
It’s not necessary that kids will realize what they are doing.
Kids with this issue develop missing spots and broken hair over their scalps.
Some children eat their hair after pulling them. This issue can make lumps of hairballs in their bellies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is something that will help them overcome this issue. This therapy makes the child aware of their hair pulling so they can stop the same.
Newborn hair loss
It’s normal for babies to lose hair during the first six months after birth.
It usually makes way for new hair growth. You need not have to worry about the same, as usual.
Friction hair loss
One reason for babies to lose hair is their head rubbing. It is usual for kids to hone their heads over the floor, mattress, or something else.
This habit is developed in kids with their growth when they start standing and sitting.
Conclusion
Now we can get a clear picture of what causes hair loss. Now we also understand that hair loss is temporary and can be overcome.
Hair loss is not just an issue with males, females, or children. Instead, it is something that has concerned every age group.
Various causes can give rise to Alopecia. But if they are treated with care at the right time, it can also be controlled.
Why won’t you care about your hair, as it’s one of the essential elements of good looks?
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