Common Causes Why Your Hair Is Falling Out

Our hair is one of our most treasured possessions. Who doesn’t love luscious locks of hair? Male and females love to have dense and strong hair. However, unfortunately, a head full of hair does not last forever. An average person sheds at least 100 hair strands every day. While a hundred-strands-a-day may be normal but excessive hair loss indicates having medical conditions that need to be treated. A hair loss treatment becomes inevitable if hair keeps falling out in excess.

Hair loss is a common problem among men and women. Both genders suffer from hair loss equally. However, the condition is more stressful for women as compared to men because baldness in women is less socially accepted. While the most common reason for hair loss is male and female pattern baldness, it is not the only cause.

In this article, we have discussed some of the most common causes of hair loss.

Why Is Your Hair Falling Out?

There are several reasons for hair loss in men and women. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Nutritional Deficiencies
2. Hormonal Imbalance
3. Stress
4. Medical Conditions
5. Medication Side Effects
6. Pregnancy
7. Androgenetic Alopecia
8. Alopecia Areata
9. Traction Alopecia
10. Ringworm

Let’s discuss each cause in detail.

• Nutritional Deficiencies

The first cause of hair loss is an unhealthy diet. When our nutritional requirements are not fulfilled, our body reacts in one way or another. One of the most common results of nutritional deficiency is hair loss.

Commonly, iron and zinc deficiency leads to excessive hair loss. However, lack of some other nutrients, proteins, and vitamins can also lead to hair loss.

These nutrients include:

• Vitamins A, B-12, C, D
• Fats
• Biotin
• Copper
• selenium

A doctor can guide better in terms of nutritional deficiencies.

• Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal changes are quite common in women. Females face extreme hormonal imbalance during PMS, childbirth, and menopause. This hormonal imbalance causes hair loss in women.

Men can also face hair loss due to hormonal changes. Their hormones also change with age resulting in hair loss. Male hair reacts to DHT and as a result, they suffer from hair loss.

• Stress

The most common culprit behind hair loss in men and women is stress.

Any type of stress; be it psychological or physical, can lead to hair loss. Usually, when a person has been through a stressful event or a trauma, they may experience excessive hair loss. For instance, hair loss after surgery, blood loss, extremely high fevers, and childbirth is quite common. All these instances take a toll on a person’s physical as well as psychological health.

Similarly, in terms of psychological stress, people suffering from anxiety or depression also experience excessive hair loss.

Hair loss due to stress is not permanent and stops once the body is back to being normal. To fight stress off certain lifestyle changes can help.

• Eating healthy
• Exercising regularly
• Meditating
• Removing stress-causing elements from life

• Medical Conditions

Some people suffer from hair loss due to their medical conditions. Certain diseases and health problems can lead to excessive hair loss.

Some common medical conditions that cause hair loss include:

• Lupus
• Renal Failure
• Liver Diseases
• Diabetes
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Thyroid Problems
• Skin Problems, e.g. Psoriasis and Dermatitis

A doctor can identify the medical condition responsible for hair loss. So, consult a doctor before declaring a certain disease as the cause of your hair loss.

• Medication Side Effects

Some medicines cause hair loss as a side effect. Besides medicine, chemotherapy is the most commonly known cause of hair loss. Other medicines include:

• thyroid medication
• some oral contraceptives
• beta-blockers
• anticonvulsants
• antidepressants
• anticoagulants
• blood thinner
• acne-treating medication
• cholesterol controlling medicine

While these drugs may be responsible for hair loss, this is not always the case. Their effect varies from patient to patient so they may not cause hair loss in all.

• Pregnancy

Hair loss during pregnancy in females is a common occurrence. This is also known as hair shedding. The reason for this type of hair loss is the reduced level of estrogen. However, this is a temporary type of hair loss and it stops after childbirth. The time it takes to resolve varies for each woman. So, try to take your hair loss treatment seriously after childbirth for your hair to return to their normal condition.

• Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia or pattern baldness is a very common cause of hair loss. Male pattern baldness is more prevalent than female pattern baldness.

This type of hair loss is hereditary. Most male patients usually end up getting a hair transplant as a result. However, female pattern baldness can be treated with the help of Minoxidil (Rogaine), too.

• Alopecia Areata

It is an autoimmune disease in which the patient’s hair fall out suddenly. This happens as a result of the immune system attacking the hair follicles.

This type of hair loss is not only limited to the scalp but it can also extend to eyebrows and eyelashes.

• Traction Alopecia

The reason for traction alopecia may sound silly but it is common. When we tie our hair in tight hairstyles such as high ponytails and cornrows, they become weak and start breaking.

A tight bun, high ponytails, high and tight braids, cornrows, and extensions, etc. are all responsible for traction alopecia.

• Ringworm

Infections can also cause hair loss. Ringworm is a type of fungal infection that if affects the scalp can lead to hair loss.

Usually, this infection is temporary and heals by itself. However, in some cases, the infection may not heal and keep spreading. In this case, the patient should consult a doctor for an antifungal medicine.

Conclusion

Hair loss is inevitable but excessive hair loss can be problematic. The above-mentioned causes are only a few of the reasons why our hair starts falling out, Therefore, before starting any hair loss treatment or undergoing a hair transplant, consulting an expert doctor is mandatory. So, search for a clinic nearby and visit them to seek advice on the best hair loss treatments.