About hair loss
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can be a distressing problem. Hair loss can arise from multiple causes, some of which are symptoms of underlying medical conditions. Broadly, hair loss is divided into non-scarring causes and scarring (cicatricial) causes.
The treatment for hair loss differs depending on the cause, and not all hair loss is treatable or reversible.
Specific types of hair loss include:
- Alopecia areata
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Telogen Effluvium (Alopecia, stress-induced)
- Trichotillomania
- Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA)
- Hair loss secondary to itch/scratch
- Hair loss secondary to vitamin,iron or nutritional deficiency
- Hair loss secondary to autoimmune disease
- Hair loss secondary to underlying medical condition.
- Telogen climacterium (hair loss after menopause)
The treatment for hair loss varies. The first step is usually lab studies to determine if there are underlying medical or hormonal contributions to hair loss. A scalp biopsy may be required as well.
Treatment may include correction of underlying medical or hormonal problems; medications such as minoxidil (Rogaine), propecia, or spironolactone; supplements such as Biotin; steroid injection; and growth factor injections.