Hair-raising facts about hair loss.

I’m sure we have all seen, or have someone in our family, suffering from hair loss.

Have you ever wondered why some people lose their hair? Hair loss is not uncommon and losing hair can be a damper to one’s self esteem.

Dr Kevin Alexander from Bedfordview explained what causes hair loss in men and women.

He said the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is the inherited condition of alopecia androgenetica.

This is also referred to as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness.

The inheritance of the genes for this condition is equal in men and women, but because men have four hundred times the amount of testosterone in their bodies, the severity of the condition is far worse in men.

In women it is more slowly progressive and involves a diffuse thinning of the hair virtually all over the head (except maybe at the base of the skull).

In men with this condition, the hairs on the sides and back of the head are spared, and the hair is thinned only on top.

Dr Alexander said other causes of hair loss would include thyroid gland problems, iron deficiency anaemia, fungal scalp infections and specific hormonal problems.

“There are numerous other less common causes, such as alopecia areata, where hair is lost in patches due to an antibody attack on the hair follicle. With all of these conditions, men and women are equally affected,” he said.

Dr Alexander said the latest prescription medical treatments (topical lotions and tablets) can deliver good re-growth results in a high percentage of men and women.

“The last 10 years have been an exciting time to be involved in the medical treatment of hair loss, as it is the field in which the biggest strides have been made,” he said.

The most common form of hair loss, which is genetically-inherited, cannot be prevented by taking supplements such as vitamins.

The prevention of hair loss depends on the cause of the hair loss problem, of which there are many.

Avoid becoming deficient in iron or overdosed on Vitamin A. One could also check the thyroid hormones regularly, as both an over-active or an under-active thyroid gland can lead to hair loss.

“When it comes to the most common form of hair loss, which is the genetic type, also referred to as male or female pattern baldness, the only way to avoid or prevent hair loss would be to take the latest prescription medicines on an ongoing basis,” said Dr Alexander.