Who is at Risk of Hair Loss?

By HelloLife

It is always fun to look back at old high school yearbook pictures. Hair styles make it easy to pick out the era. Whether the style was the bob, the shag or the mullet, hairstyles are the ultimate fashion trend. Comb-overs are not a popular hairstyle in high school, and neither is thin, patchy hair. There is not a vote for Most Likely to Lose His Hair. Invariably, however, some of those people with the trendy hair in high school struggle with hair loss later. Hair loss can even strike some in the same immediate family and not others. Hair loss does not discriminate based on gender, nationality, status, popularity, income level or religion. In fact, it is an equal opportunity source of frustration.

Those with the Right Genes

The most common form of baldness, androgenetic alopecia, affect about one third of men and women. This type of hair loss can begin for people in their late teens, and it is genetic. A history of this type of baldness on either side of the family increases a person's risk. The genes also determine when a person begins to lose his hair and how much of it he loses. This type of hair loss is considered permanent hair loss.

Alopecia Areata

Anyone can lose hair temporarily. One type of hair loss, alopecia areata, is a form of temporary baldness, and it is actually considered to be an auto-immune disease. Interestingly, most of the people with this disease are in good overall condition. Generally a person with this condition will re-grow his hair, but this cycle could happen several times for him.

Sickness, Surgery, or Disease

Certain health conditions can cause temporary hair loss. These would include diabetes, lupus and thyroid problems. Big health events in a person's life such as surgery or certain illnesses can leave their mark by temporarily thinning a person's hair.

Medications or Medical Treatment

There are some drugs that people use to take for help with gout, high blood pressure, arthritis, depression or heart problems that can cause temporary hair loss. Some women experience hair loss with birth control medications. Of course, those undergoing chemotherapy often lose their hair temporarily.

Poor Nutrition

Poor nutrition is another common source of temporary hair loss. Someone lacking enough protein or iron in their diet or other essential nourishment can experience hair loss. Fad diets and eating disorders can also cause hair loss.

Other Issues

Most pregnant women experience an active growth state in their hair. Shortly after giving birth, however, most will notice an increase in hair loss. Newborns generally lose their temporary baby hair to make way for the more permanent hair. Certain hair treatments are very hard on the hair, and they can cause temporary hair loss. These would include chemicals for dying, bleaching, tinting, straightening or perming. Certain hairstyles can cause hair loss also when it involves pulling the hair tightly. Another possible cause for hair loss is a scalp infection like ringworm. Ringworm is resolved with an antifungal medication.

Who is at Risk of Hair Loss?

Anyone can actually be in a position to lose hair, whether it is temporary or permanent. Genetics play a big role, but many other things can cause temporary hair loss. If a person is concerned about losing his hair, he should talk to his doctor to see if there is something to help with the temporary hair loss, and there are some effective treatments on the market to help re-grow hair. That person should be careful about the product he chooses, so that he does not have to deal with side effects.