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Hair Loss



Hair-loss: Medications & Treatment Options

Hair-loss refers to your loss of hair loss from the scalp or body. The clinical term for hair loss is alopecia. There are several reasons for alopecia, some permanent, others temporary. Hair thinning is common in men, affecting 60 percent of men as well as 40 percent of women.

Hair comprises a protein. Hair grows everywhere on our skin and the soles of the feet. About 100,000 to 150,000 hairs are grown by the adult head, and 80 to 100 are normally shed daily. At any one point in time, approximately 90 percent of their hair on the scalp is growing. This is referred to as the anagen phase. There are 3 main stages of hair growth:

  • Anagen phase. On average hair grows 0.3-0.4 mm/day or just around 12-15cm a year, although this is predetermined. As people age, their rate of hair growth slows. The hair origin appears long, white, and tapered in this period
  • Catagen phase. Become curved and growth stops throughout the hair origin and this phase begins to sag. This phase may last from two to 3 weeks
  • Telogen phase. This is referred to as the period. Your hair root is fully curved, and awaiting the growth of a new anagen hair so that it can be discard to push it out from their entire scalp. This phase lasts approximately three to four months for hairloss.

Types of Hair Loss

Baldness occur across the whole area or may affect regions of the scalp. Depending upon the cause, other areas of the body might be affected. The most Frequent types of hair loss are:

  • Male-pattern hair loss (hair loss )
  • Female-pattern hair-loss
  • Telogen effluvium (excessive peeling of telogen hairs)
  • Anagen effluvium (excessive peeling of anagen hairs)
  • Alopecia areata
  • Additional causes.

Male-Pattern Hair-loss

Male-pattern hair loss can be an inherited condition and is particularly called androgenetic alopecia. It is by far the most common form of permanent baldness and affects than other ethnicities. The problem is characterized by a receding hairline and/or hair thinning on the top of the head.

Male-pattern hair thinning is caused by an inherited increased sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shortens the anagen phase of the hair , inducing progressively finer hairs to be produced. Men who do not produce testosterone (because of genetic abnormalities or castration) do not develop this pattern baldness. Male-Pattern hair loss affects roughly 20 percent of nearly half of men in their 40s, 30% in their 30s and men in their 20s.

Female-Pattern Hair-loss

Female-pattern hair thinning is another inherited condition, although the pattern of hair loss differs from that of people. Female-pattern hair thinning is characterized by a diffuse thinning of hair in the scalp because of an upsurge in hair, along with even perhaps a widening of the center part. The hairline usually remains complete.

The condition occurs more frequently near menopause affecting approximately 40 percent of women aged 50 and 55% of women.

Telogen Effluvium

This really can be really a temporary thinning of hair across the entire scalp caused by the precipitation of a number of anagen hairs in to the telogen phase.  The hairs remain attached to the scalp but within anagen hairs push the dead telogen hairs and also hair thinning is noticed.

There are many reasons for acute telogen effluvium including injuries, childbirth, certain medicines (as an example, anticoagulants, antidepressants, the discontinuation of oral contraceptives), excess body weight loss or major dietary adjustments, illness, jetlag, and surgery. Complete recovery occurs at six to eight months.

Chronic telogen effluvium is characterized by an inability to grow hair. Although it does not result in baldness there`s a persistent or significant diffuse hair loss and bi-temporal downturn of baldness is ordinary (inducing a high forehead). Deficiencies in levels of thyroid hormones, iron, B12, and folic acid may also impede hair growth and these ought to be checked.

Anagen Effluvium

This will be although it may also occur as a result of contact with toxins or because of inflammation, the hair thinning that occurs with medicines. These impacts cause increased hair thinning although hair usually grows back if treatment is completed also disrupt hair follicles that are actively growing. This type of hair loss also occurs with radiation therapy, if treatment will be really to the fashionable area just body hair in this area is going to soon undoubtedly be lost, however, it is localized to the field of treatment, as an example.

Alopecia Areata

This really is characterized by sudden bald spots appearing on the entire scalp, although some other hairy area (like the eyebrows, eyelashes, beard) may be impacted. It`s thought to be an auto immune disorder where the immune system attacks the hair follicles and usually runs in families or affects people such as arthritis.

Complete regrowth usually takes months or even years to occur. There are a variety of types of alopecia areata including alopecia totalis where all scalp hair is lost and alopecia universalis.

Other Reasons

Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp by a parasite, usually Trichophyton and Microsporum fungi, that creates hair loss inside the infected area. Treatment is with oral anti fungals.

Hair thinning which has an impact on the entire scalp, so which makes the hair appear uniformly sparse may be caused by an thyroid gland. Although it might well not be complete, regrowth occurs about correction of the thyroid disorder. Additional conditions, like lupus or diabetes may also trigger hair thinning.

Baldness may also occur with excess pulling or braiding of the hairnervous habits or psychological conditions like Trichotillomania at which the individual gets strong urges to grab their own hair, or with excess shampooing or blowdrying.

Watch your doctor should:

  • You are losing hair in an irregular pattern.
  • You`re losing hair rapidly or at an early age (as an example, on your teens or twenties).
  • You have any pain or itching associated with hair thinning.
  • Your skin on the scalp under the involved area is red, scaly, or otherwise abnormal.
  • You have acne, facial hair, or menstrual problems.
  • You`re a female and have male-pattern baldness.
  • You have bald spots on your beard or eyebrows.
  • You have been gaining weight or have muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, or fatigue.

Your doctor will have a detailed clinical history and can analyze the state of your scalp and hair; this is usually enough to diagnose the type of your hair thinning. Your Physician will also ask questions for example:

  • Are you losing hair only from your scalp or from different components of your own body as well?
  • Can there be a pattern to the hair loss like a receding hairline, thinning or bald areas on the crown, or is the hair loss throughout your head?
  • Perhaps you have had a recent illness or high fever?
  • Can you dye or blow dry your hair?
  • Are you ever been under unusual stress lately?
  • Can you have nervous habits that include hair pulling or scalp rubbing?
  • Have you got any other symptoms like itching, flaking, or redness of your scalp?
  • What medications do you take, including over the counter medication?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed (but are rarely needed) include:

  • Microscopic examination of a plucked hair
  • Skin biopsy (if skin changes are present)

Treatment Plans For Hair Loss

Not all cases of hair thinning require treatment or can be medicated. Temporary hair loss, such as telogen effluvium, particularly that caused by childbirth or jetlag, is and occurs over six to eight months.

For hair loss caused by cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, no treatment is necessary, although heating caps (a specifically made icepack or cap worn before, during, and after every chemotherapy) can be used as a preventative measure to defend the hair follicles. Hair may grow back a few months after the procedure has ended. Different coverings, hats or wigs can be worn in this period.

If a drug is causing your hair loss your doctor may be able to prescribe another medication to take care of your condition if an alternative exists.

Male-Pattern Hair-loss

There are numerous treatments that can slow or prevent the evolution of male-pattern hair thinning, although these must be utilized regularly, or the former pattern of hair thinning can return.

Propecia (finasteride) is a prescription medicine which works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone which plays an essential part in hair loss in men.

Propecia could cause a decrease in sexual function and sexual drive.

Manufacturer Generic Name
Propeciafinasteride

Male and Female-Pattern Hair reduction

Minoxidil can be helpful for male and female-pattern hair thinning, or hair loss due to age and hormones. It increases results in people who have an overall thinning of hairloss. Hair thinning can temporarily grow during the initial few months of usage and regrowth may take two.

Treatment is necessary otherwise the pattern of balding reverts back to exactly what it was. The specific manner that minoxidil works isn`t known. Brand names of minoxidil may be available.

Manufacturer Generic Name
Rogaine (for Men and Women)minoxidil 2%
Avacor, Good Sense, Rogaine Extra Strength (for Men)minoxidil 5%

Other drugs that may be tried for hair loss but are not FDA approved for this sign include:

  • Male-pattern baldness: dutasteride
  • Female-pattern baldness: spironolactone, low-androgen oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy in post menopausal women
  • Alopecia areata: corticosteroids, cyclosporine (even though risks may outweigh the benefits).

Hair transplants are a procedure that removes hair follicles. It is chiefly utilized to take care of male-pattern hair loss and the fee depends on just how much hair will be being moved but is usually approximately $4,000 to $15,000. Most individuals see 60 percent of new hair growth after 6 to 9 months.

Hair pieces may disguise hair loss. This is generally the least expensive and safest approach to hair thinning.

See Additionally

  • Female Pattern Hair Loss
  • Male Pattern Hair Loss
  • Tinea Capitis

Further info

Always ask with your healthcare provider to make sure the information relates to your circumstances.



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