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There’s no denying the gravity of hair in our daily lives. Everyone wants their hair to be preeminent.
Many people who lose their hair experience deep grief. It is understandable, given that their hair is an integral component of their appearance.
Those who have not experienced this kind of loss are often unable to appreciate the depth and breadth of the pain that others are going through.
They might even try to downplay the significance of the situation. After all, it’s only hair.
Unfortunately, it’s more than hair. Humans have established a significant relationship with hair for centuries.
Present-day beauty standards place a premium on whole, healthy hair.
Further, how we care for and style our hair can reflect our socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and even sense of personal agency.
These nuanced meanings lose their impact when you start losing your hair.
Let’s dive deep into knowing, “Why is my hair falling out”.
Causes of hair loss in women & men
Source: pixelshotVarious factors contribute to hair loss in women. Some of them are:
You are taking certain medication
Certain medications can cause hair shedding and thinning.
You should reexamine the possible drug side effects to see if hair loss is on it.
Drugs used to treat Arthritis, depression, gout, heart disease, and high blood pressure are all examples of such medications.
You delivered a baby
You won’t experience as much hair loss during pregnancy as you would after the delivery.
This is because of hormonal imbalance.
As your hormones return to normal after giving birth, you’ll start to shave off any stray hairs. After about three to six months, your hair growth will improve.
You are taking stress
Extreme stress can trigger an immune system attack on hair follicles, causing hair loss.
Stress and anxiety can slow hair growth, which increases shedding when you brush.
People may have suffered hair loss because of covid. The recent pandemic increased stress rate around the world.
Menopause and hormone imbalances
Hair fall is a common menopausal symptom because Estrogen and Progesterone levels drop.
Besides hair loss, here are a few more symptoms of menopause:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Dry skin
- Night sweats
- Weight gain
- Dry vagina
The extra strain on the body would make the loss of hair even more severe.
Some women may experience thinning and loss even after discontinuing hormone-based birth control.
Why?
Once again, fluctuations in Estrogen levels, and other hormone changes, can interrupt the hair lifecycle.
Recommended reading: Coping With Hair Thinning After Stopping Birth Control: Tips and Tricks
Lack of vitamin B
Hair thinning in women can be a symptom of a deficiency in specific vitamins and minerals.
A lack of red meat in the diet or a vegetarian lifestyle is a cause of thin hair, by dermatologists for hair thinning.
Iron, abundant in red meat and other animal diets, aids hair and body growth.
Lack of iron in the diet can exacerbate anemia, which is more common in women because of menstrual blood loss.
Grooming
Hairstyles like a ponytail, braids, or cornrows pull the hair against the scalp resulting in Traction Alopecia. It is a condition where for a brief period, one experiences hair loss.
Also, hair follicles can be damaged by perms and other heat styling.
What medications cause hair loss
Although medications treat a wide range of issues, they sometimes result in side effects.
While some of them can cause an increase in hair growth and a shift in hair color or texture, others can result in even hair loss.
Retinoids
As a class of drugs, Retinoids treat various skin issues, including acne and discoloration. Vitamin A derivatives can reduce inflammation and increase cell turnover.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can help patients suffering from Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that antidepressants may contribute to hair thinning.
It needs to be clarified how they bring about this effect. Once treatment with the medicine is discontinued, hair loss typically stops.
Common antidepressants which cause hair loss are Bupropion, Fluoxetine, and Duloxetine.
Beta-blockers
Specific cardiac problems and excessive blood pressure can be managed with the use of a class of drugs called beta blockers.
Chemotherapy
Source: FatCamera_from_Getty_ImagesChemotherapy is widely used because of its efficacy in eliminating cancer cells.
Yet, it also destroys hair follicles and other rapidly dividing cells in the body. Anagen effluvium describes this pattern of hair thinning.
Tamoxifen
As a drug, Tamoxifen is effective against breast cancer.
Anagen effluvium is a side effect of tamoxifen. However, in most cases, this is only a transitory situation.
Also, once therapy is done, new hair will grow in its place. However, the typical duration of treatment is five years.
Illness that causes hair loss
Medical conditions and treatments often result in hair loss for individuals.
As the amount of hair loss becomes more evident to others, it can add worry and anxiety to an already growing list of challenges and concerns.
Even though there is a wide variety of medical conditions that can cause hair loss, some of the most prevalent are:
Lupus
This chronic autoimmune condition can cause various skin-related symptoms, including hair loss.
Thyroid problems
Both underactive and hyperactive thyroids can play a role in hair loss.
Burning scalp syndrome
Patients with the syndrome may experience loss of hair.
However, the relationship between hair loss and symptoms like itching, burning, and discomfort has not been clearly established by the research community.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is the condition where people have the urge to pull off healthy hair from their scalp and other parts of their bodies.
Signs of hair loss
A wider part or thinner ponytail is generally the first indicator of hair loss in women.
You may notice certain things like hair thinning, slow growth of bald spots, widening parts, and a ponytail becoming thin.
Aching or stinging sensations before unexpected hair loss. This occurs in some people with Alopecia areata.
Extreme itchiness, burning, and soreness in the areas where there is a loss of hair can lead to infections.
Flaky, hairless skin areas frequently develop open sores or blisters and discharge pus. Having this condition usually indicates a fungal infection of the scalp.
The symptoms of redness, swelling, and blisters may itch and discharge pus. Folliculitis decalvans can cause this.
Plaques of Psoriasis that seem like dry, flaky patches on your scalp. Psoriasis affects the scalp of the vast majority of people who suffer from it, which can lead to temporary hair loss.
Does Diabetes cause hair loss?
Source: Wirul_Kengthankan_from_Getty_Images_ProAn average hair growth cycle consists of four distinct stages.
The period of rapid expansion often lasts for at least two years.
Hair grows by about 1 centimeter (cm) every month throughout this time. Hair enters a resting phase after a transitional phase. For up to 4 months, this is in effect.
A loss of some hair follows the resting step. This is a process that can be slowed down by Diabetes, which can lead to slower hair growth. More hair loss than typical is another side effect of Diabetes.
That baldness affects more than just your scalp. Hair thinning can occur anywhere on the body, not just on the head. Hair regrowth occurs.
However, it takes much longer than usual. Alopecia Areata is more prevalent in people who have Type 1 Diabetes.
Hair loss occurs in patches on the scalp and elsewhere on the body in a condition known as Alopecia Areata. It is caused by an immune system attack on the hair follicles.
Does Testosterone cause hair loss
Trying to pin down exactly how Testosterone contributes to thinning hair is complex.
The common perception is that bald guys have more Testosterone than other men, but is this true?
Androgenic Alopecia, often known as male pattern baldness, affects over 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States (NIH).
Androgenic Alopecia, often known as male pattern baldness, is a common problem in men. The formation of U shape over the head is a sign of MPB. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the hormone that is behind hair loss.
Shrinkage of hair follicles and the subsequent disruption of the hair growth cycle causes hair loss.
The hair follicles go inactive as time passes, and the new hairs get finer. Hormones and inherited traits play a role in this type of hair thinning.
The shape of baldness
The form of MPB is easily recognizable. The hairline begins to thin out, recede in front, and then continues along the sides to create an M shape. Baldness at the front of the head.
Even the top of the head, or vertex, starts to go bald. Each region eventually becomes part of a larger “U” formed by their combination. Aging can cause chest hair to be thin, but MPB can also spread to that.
DHT: Hormone behind hair loss
The enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts Testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHEA, a hormone more common in women, can also be used to make it.
The epidermis, hair follicles, and prostate all contain DHT. Hair thinning is brought on by DHT and the hair follicles’ susceptibility to it.
Conclusion
It is impossible to discount the significance of hair, even if we shift our focus from society to the individual. Our morning reflection proves it. It plays a significant role in our sense of identity.
In addition, you decide how to embellish it. The way you present yourself to the world is an artistic creation.
As a person grows and develops, so does this aspect of their character. Your hair might reveal your life narrative. If you lose it, it’s like losing a picture of all those happy times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes hair loss?
Factors contributing to your hormonal change, heredity, and medical conditions can be a part of your hair loss. Hair loss is common in both men and women but is more common in men known as baldness.
How much hair loss is normal?
Almost 50 to 100 hair shedding a day is normal. Medically this condition is known as Telogen Effluvium.
Does wearing a hat cause hair loss?
No, wearing a hat doesn’t result in loss of hair. Moreover, there is no scientific research that can prove this condition.
Does dandruff cause hair loss?
Dandruff, notably, doesn’t lead to hair loss. Although, the itchiness which leads to scratching can injure your follicles and lead to hair loss.
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