WHAT IS BALDNESS? 

Baldness  refers to excessive hair loss from the scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is its most common cause. While few people prefer to let their hair loss run its course untreated and in stride, others may seek to get cosmetic or hair transplant done.  

People typically lose about 100 hair a day. New hair replace them at the same time. Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted due to one or more of the following factors:

• Family history (heredity)

• Hormonal changes and medical conditions  during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid imbalance. Medical conditions include alopecia areata and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania 

• Side effects of Medications and supplements used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure

• Radiation therapy 

• A physical or emotional trauma

• Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight

• Hot oil hair treatments can cause inflammation of hair follicles resulting in  hair loss, which could turn out to be permanent, et cetera

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BALDNESS? 

Hair loss can appear in many different ways. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body. Could be temporary or permanent.

• Gradual thinning on top of head. In men, hair often begin to recede from the forehead in a line that resembles the letter M. Women typically retain the hairline on the forehead with a broadening of the  part in their hair.

• Circular or patchy bald spots. In some cases, your skin too may become itchy or painful before the hair fall out.

• Sudden loosening of hair. Shock can cause hair to loosen in handfuls.

• Full-body hair loss. Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy can result in the temporary loss of hair all over your body. 

• Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp. Particularly, a sign of ringworm. And may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Diagnosis: The doctor will give you a detailed physical exam and review medical and family history. It could include a few tests too, like: 

• Blood test to uncover if any medical conditions involved

• Pull test to determine the stage of the shedding process.

• Scalp biopsy to determine whether an infection is causing hair loss. 

Treatment: Medications & Surgery is deployed to promote hair growth and slow hair loss.

While Medication prescribed by the Doctor treats an underlying disease Hair transplant, or restoration surgery, can make the most of the hair you are left with.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

Baldness caused by genetics is not preventable.Following tips may help you avoid preventable hair loss:

• avoid tight hairstyles, compulsively twisting, rubbing or pulling  hair

• treat them gently while washing and brushing. Use a wide-toothed comb 

• avoid using  hot rollers, curling irons, hot oil treatments

• check for  medications and supplements that could result in  hair loss

• stay protected against ultraviolet rays

• stop smoking