Types Of Hair Loss

While the causes for hair loss are almost too numerous to name, the types of hair loss are more limited, coming primarily in the forms of androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and tinea capitis.

The most frequently occurring of these is androgenetic alopecia, better known as common balding, may ultimately affect as many as 50 percent of males and females past the age of 40. Androgenetic alopecia in men is generally genetic, with common balding besetting either parent being a strong predictor of future balding, although it is by no means guaranteed. As a genetic condition, androgenetic alopecia in men requires little specialty diagnosis. In women, simple blood tests can reveal whether hair loss is caused by androgenetic alopecia or by some other underlying problem. Treatments for androgenetic alopecia include prescription medications such as Rogaine in men and women, Propecia in men, and oral contraceptives, Aldactone and Decadron for women.

Far less common but still affecting some 5 million Americans, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that can leads to hair loss not just on the scalp but also on the body. Its causes are not entirely understood, but its onset is almost always in childhood. The disease seems to result from attacks on the hair follicles by alopecia areata sufferers’ own immune system. The attacks stop hair growth, although not always permanently. Recovery is sometimes spontaneous, but so is relapse.

Excessive shedding of hair caused by stress of a hormonal, physiological, metabolic or other systemic stress is caused telogen effluvium. The most common forms occur as acute problems, although chronic telogen effluvium has also been noted. One of the most common causes of telogen effluvium is post-partum hormones, a condition that can be mimicked by the cessation of oral contraceptives. Uncontrolled thyroid disorders are also a frequent cause of telogen effluvium. Treatment is rarely as aggressive as for androgenetic alopecia, at least in acute telogen effluvium, since recovery is likely to occur within six months of onset.

Tinea capitis, more commonly known as ringworm of the scalp, stems from a skin infection caused by a fungus that attacks the scalp as well as the skin beneath some facial hair. It is believed that the condition is on the rise around the world, as it is contagious between people, remaining live on hair implements such as combs and brushes as well as communal furniture including chairs, sofas and hotel beds, among other hosts.