Causes of Hair Loss | Alopecia Areata, Stress, Female Pattern Thinning

Hair loss is a common condition that affects both men and women. Understanding the various causes of hair loss is the first step to being able to prevent and treat it. There are many factors that contribute to alopecia or excessive shedding, including medical conditions, lifestyle, hormones, genetics, and more.

Causes of Hair Loss | Alopecia Areata

One cause of patchy hair loss is a condition called alopecia areata. It occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing them to abruptly stop producing hair. This results in smooth, round bald patches on the scalp or other areas of the body.

Alopecia areata can cause hair loss ranging from just a few spots to every hair on the body. Doctors don’t know exactly why it happens, but some triggers include:

• Genetics – family history increases risk
• Stress or trauma
• Autoimmune disorders
• Viral infections

There is no cure for alopecia areata, but some treatments like steroid injections, light therapy, and medications can help regrow hair.

Causes of Hair Loss | Stress

Stress is another major factor that can trigger excess hair shedding. When we’re chronically stressed, the body produces high levels of the hormone cortisol. This stress hormone constricts blood vessels including those in the scalp, limiting blood flow and oxygen to hair follicles.

Over time, this can shorten the growth phase of hair. More hair than normal will shed and be lost as new growth slows down. Stress also depletes the B vitamins and other nutrients hair needs to stay healthy.

To reduce stress-related hair loss:

• Practice stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing
• Get regular exercise
• Improve your sleep habits
• Talk to a therapist
• Reduce major sources of stress in your life

Causes of Hair Loss | Postpartum Hair Loss

Many new mothers are alarmed to start rapidly shedding hair a few months after giving birth. But this postpartum hair loss is completely normal.

During pregnancy, high estrogen levels cause more hair follicles to stay in the growth phase. Very little hair is shed. After delivery, estrogen levels quickly drop and all the excess hair is suddenly lost.

Combined with the stress and sleep deprivation of new motherhood, postpartum women often experience noticeable thinning. The good news is that this hair loss is temporary. Hair volume typically returns to normal within 6 to 12 months.

What is Female Pattern Thinning?

In women, hair loss is often linked to changing hormone levels. One of the most common causes of women’s hair thinning is female pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia.

This genetic condition makes hair follicles sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of the male hormone testosterone. In response to DHT, the follicles shrink and produce thinner, shorter, more fine hairs.

Eventually these miniaturized follicles stop growing hair at all. The rate and pattern of female pattern thinning varies between individuals. But many women experience a widening part or overall diffuse shedding, particularly on the top of the head.

Treatments like minoxidil, spironolactone, and PRP can help stimulate growth and slow further thinning.

Thyroid Problems

The thyroid gland regulates all kinds of body processes, including hair growth. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can disrupt the hair growth cycle and cause excessive shedding.

Some signs your thyroid may be contributing to hair loss include:

• Sudden, unexplained hair thinning
• Dry, brittle strands
• Hair regrowth that feels soft and downy

Testing thyroid hormone levels through a simple blood screening can determine if an overactive or underactive thyroid is affecting your hair. Correcting the imbalance with medication can help hair regrow.

Causes of Hair Loss | Nutritional Deficiencies

Not getting enough key nutrients in your diet can starve your hair follicles and hamper growth. Some deficiencies linked to hair loss include:

• Iron – transports oxygen to follicles
• Zinc – facilitates cell division and growth
• Protein – the building block of hair
• Biotin -synthesizes keratin for hair structure
• Vitamin D – creates new follicles

Eating a balanced diet high in these hair-healthy nutrients can prevent shedding. People with chronic deficiencies may also need vitamin supplements.

Causes of Hair Loss | Medications

Certain prescription drugs and medications have side effects that lead to hair thinning and loss. Chemotherapy drugs often dramatically damage hair follicles. Birth control pills, blood thinners, antidepressants, and NSAID painkillers may also contribute to excess shedding.

If new medication coincides with sudden hair loss, talk to your doctor. Switching prescriptions or adjusting the dosage can often reverse hair thinning.

Causes of Hair Loss | Autoimmune Diseases

Some autoimmune diseases that turn the immune system against the body can also affect hair growth. Alopecia areata is one example, where the immune system attacks the hair follicles.

Other autoimmune diseases potentially linked to hair loss include:

• Lupus – can cause scarring hair loss
• Lichen planus – causes ring-shaped bald patches
• Vitiligo – depigments skin and hair

Treating the underlying autoimmune condition is the first step for stopping hair loss. Doctors may also prescribe immunomodulating medications.

Causes of Hair Loss | Ringworm Infection

Despite the name, ringworm is not caused by a worm at all – it’s a fungal infection. When ringworm infects the scalp, it can cause patches of itchy, scaly bald spots. Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist environments.

To treat ringworm hair loss:

• See a doctor for an antifungal shampoo and oral medication
• Disinfect hairbrushes, pillowcases, and hats
• Avoid sharing brushes, combs, hats, and helmets

Early treatment will prevent the fungus from spreading and allow hair to regrow once the infection clears.

Causes of Hair Loss | Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a psychological condition that causes people to compulsively pull out their own hair. This can happen from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, or pubic area.

Trichotillomania often starts as a way to cope with negative emotions. But over time it can turn into an irresistible urge. Removing the hairs brings a temporary sensation of relief. For some sufferers, trich becomes an addiction.

Getting help from a therapist can teach skills to manage this body-focused repetitive behavior. Hypnosis, cognitive behavior therapy, or medications may help break the pulling cycle.

Causes of Hair Loss | Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium occurs when stress, shock, or trauma cause a large number of hair follicles to enter the telogen or “resting” phase early. This overwhelms the normal hair loss cycle, leading to sudden heavy shedding about 3-6 months later.

Causes of telogen effluvium include:

• High fever, severe infection, surgery
• Severe stress or traumatic life events
• Major hormonal changes like childbirth
• Rapid weight loss, anorexia, or malnutrition
• Iron deficiency or thyroid disorders

With treatment of the trigger, telogen effluvium hair loss is usually reversible. Hair volume typically normalizes within 6-9 months.

Causes of Hair Loss | Chemical Processing

Overprocessing and severely damaging hair with chemical treatments can cause it to break and fall out prematurely. This can happen with:

• Bleaching or highlighting hair repeatedly
• Overusing chemical straightening products
• Hot tools like curling irons and flat irons on high heat
• Tight hairstyles that pull on the follicles

To prevent chemical and heat damage:

• Stretch washes to every other day or longer
• Let hair air dry when possible
• Use thermal protectant sprays before hot tools
• Alternate between different styles to give hair a rest

Giving damaged hair a break from chemicals and heat allows it to regrow healthier.

Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes a buildup of dead skin cells. When it affects the scalp, these thick, scaly patches can smother hair follicles. The inflammation can also impede hair growth.

Signs of scalp psoriasis include:

• Red, itchy patches with silvery-white scale
• Flaking, bleeding, or crusting on the scalp
• Hair loss in the affected areas

Treating scalp psoriasis with medicated shampoos, ointments, and light therapy can clear up the skin and allow hair to regrow.

Aging and Hormones

As both men and women get older, some hair thinning and loss is perfectly normal. Hair follicles shrink and produce finer, shorter hairs with decreased pigment. DHT sensitivity, declining hormones, scalp environment changes, and oxidative damage contribute to aging hair.

While genetics control the timing and pattern, people often start noticing hair thinning in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. The key is to distinguish normal aging from more serious hair loss causes. If excessive shedding accompanies aging hair, see a dermatologist.

Conclusion

In summary, causes of hair loss include alopecia areata, stress, postpartum changes, female pattern thinning, thyroid disorders, nutrient deficiencies, medications, autoimmune diseases, infections, trichotillomania, shock, chemical damage, skin conditions, aging, and more.

Understanding the many potential reasons for your hair loss is the crucial first step. A dermatologist can help diagnose the specific cause and tailor treatment accordingly. Catching and addressing hair loss early often leads to better regrowth.