What is hair loss?

What is hair loss?

The medical term for hair loss is alopecia and is used to denote any type of hair loss affecting any area of the head, limbs and body. Alopecia is a Latin word, but if you trace its origin in the Greek language, the word means alopek fox, alopekiya was a term that meant mange foxes.
Hair loss can be due to many different reasons, including genitichni and environmental factors. An interesting fact is that many diseases can occur solely or principally with the complaint of hair loss.

One of the most common causes of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. Other common causes of hair loss can be telogen efluvium, alopecia areata, ringworm after cosmetic treatments. A rare form of hair loss is more difficult to diagnose, it is necessary to do the research, although in some cases the condition may remain undiagnosed. In some cases it may not be an appropriate method of treatment.
In recent years, studies have expanded human hair, causes of hair loss and the development of new treatments. This is a very optimistic especially for people who are affected by rare species and forms of hair loss.

What causes hair loss?

The causes of hair loss can be various. The discovery of the cause of hair loss is not always an easy task and is largely dependent on gender, heredity, and the impact of various damaging factors. Hair loss can be caused by a large group of diseases, each of which is characterized by a variety of possible reasons.

Telogen efluvium
Telogen efluvium may occur after birth, vaccination, physical trauma (after a car accident, surgery), stress, severe dieting, malnutrition. Usually this type of hair loss disappears with the passage of the impact of harmful factors. Some medicines or the impact of toxins can also cause telogen efluvium.

Anagen efluvium
Efluvium anagen occurs most often in people who are treated with chemotherapy or after accidental or intentional ingestion of poisons.

Circular hair loss
Circular hair loss is considered an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own cells. Usually, stress, heredity, hormonal disturbances, allergic reactions, infections are the main cause of hair loss circles.

Hair loss in men
Hair loss in men is often hereditary and can be triggered by stress, intake of certain medications.

Hair loss in women
Hair loss in women can also be caused by heredity, hormonal disorders, stress, pregnancy, certain medications, certain hairstyles.




Hair loss in children
Hair loss in children is condition that requires special attention. The most common causes of hair loss in children fungal infection of the scalp, circular hair loss, traumatic alopecia, Trichotillomania and telogen efluvium.

Cicatricial alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia is characterized by the presence of scar tissue. The reasons for the formation of scar tissue and such loss of hair may be different - genetic diseases, trauma, radiation, tumors, certain infections of the hair follicle, or a manifestation of systemic disease.

Congenital diseases that cause hair loss
Congenital diseases that result in hair loss is characterized by the fact that persist throughout a person's life. In the majority of cases it is a violation of embryonic development and genetic diseases. Congenital diseases that result in hair loss may be combined with other abnormalities - physical or mental.

Infections that lead to hair loss
The most common infection that leads to hair loss with this fungus. Less hair loss can have folliculitis or in other conditions with increased growth of microorganisms.

Defects of the hair shaft, resulting to hair loss
Defects of the hair shaft, resulting in hair loss can result from genetic defects, or more often in the case of damage to the hair stem from environmental factors or improper and aggressive treatment of hair.

How to diagnose hair loss?

Diagnosis of hair loss in women is more difficult than men. In 90% of cases in men are concerned about male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). In women, however, hair loss can be due to many different reasons or conditions.
To determine the cause of hair loss is necessary to do some research. These studies may exclude other diseases that may cause hair loss. In most cases, these studies show normal results, but it is also very important because it helps correct diagnosis.

Diagnostic tests for hair loss include:

Test by pulling

Test by pulling the hair is called the pull-test. This method is easy to implement, while giving very useful information.
Performed on hair that is not duty days. Grip with three fingers about 50 to 100 hairs, then pulls. The test can be repeated several times. Using this method to determine whether excessive hair loss.

Densitometry

Densitometer is a small device with the aid of which creates growth and it allows direct observation of the presence of miniaturization of the hair.

Skin biopsy

Take a small piece of skin 3-4 mm in diameter and examined under a microscope to determine the type or cause of hair loss.

• Complete blood count
• Serum iron
• Serum ferritin
• Total iron binding capacity
• Hormonal (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs), prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, etc.).
• Thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH)
• Screening for syphilis (TPHA, VDRL)