Hair Loss : What types? What are the causes.? What treatment is there for hair loss in men ?

Hair Loss : What types? What are the causes.? What treatment is there for hair loss in men ?

Hair Loss in Men and Women (Alopecia)

Hair Loss : What types? What are the causes.? What treatment is there for hair loss in men ?

Hair loss, is a very common condition and affects most people at some point in their lives.

Hair loss, by breaking the hair shaft is different from hair loss due to a reduction in hair growth.

Androgenetic hair loss in men and women is more dramatic in men.

Thyroid disease, anemia, protein deficiency, chemotherapy and low levels of vitamins can cause hair loss.

Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss caused by the autoimmune destruction of hair follicles in localized areas of the skin.

Drugs indicated for new hair growth include minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia).

Prevention of hair loss includes good hair hygiene, regular shampooing and proper nutrition.

A medical examination of hair loss can include blood tests, such as complete blood count (CBC), iron level, vitamin B, thyroid function tests (TFT) and a scalp biopsy.

What types of doctors to treat hair loss?

What types of doctors to treat hair loss?

That basic health selection can be done by a family doctor, internist or gynecologist. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in skin, hair and nail problems and can provide advanced diagnosis and treatment of hair thinning and loss. Sometimes a scalp biopsy may be necessary.

Although many drugs show "hair loss," among its potential side effects, most drugs are not likely to induce hair loss. In addition, cancer chemotherapy and immunosuppressive drugs typically produce hair loss. Total hair loss after chemotherapy usually decreases after six to twelve months.

How are doctors classified hair loss?

There are many ways to categorize hair loss. We must first examine the scalp to determine if hair loss is due to physical destruction and loss of hair follicles (cicatricial alopecia). If the scalp looks perfectly normal with many empty hair follicles, this is called hair loss that does not leave a scar. On the other hand, the follicles are permanently destroyed in hair loss healing. Non-scarring hair loss can also be seen in situations where there is physical or chemical damage to the hair helix, causing breakage. Sometimes it may be necessary to do a scalp biopsy to distinguish these conditions. Sometimes a doctor can pull a hair to observe the appearance of hair and the increasing percentage of hair (anagen phase). This article will focus on the types of hair loss that leave no scar.

What are the causes and risk factors for hair loss?

Because there are many types From hair loss, the cause can be difficult. This test will extend to the most common causes of hair loss on normal unhealed scalp skin. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia.

Most hair loss is not associated with systemic or internal disease and poor diet is not common. Hair can be thin simply because of predetermined genetic factors and the overall aging process. Many men and women may notice a slight thinning of their 30s and 40s physiological hair. The vicissitudes of life, including illness, emotional trauma, protein deprivation (for a strict diet) and hormonal changes such as pregnancy, puberty And menopause can cause hair loss.

Various health problems, including thyroid diseases and iron deficiency anemia can cause hair loss. While blood tests for thyroid and other laboratory tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), in people who have normal hair loss are usually normal, it is important to exclude processed hair loss cases

What is alopecia areata?

A common condition, alopecia areata usually begins as a circle of a bald skin size perfectly smooth shifts. These patches usually increase from three to six months without treatment. Sometimes, white hair regenerates and returns black temporarily. The most extensive form is called total alopecia, in which the whole scalp is bald. It is important to keep in mind that patients who have localized hair loss generally do not lose hair on the scalp. Alopecia areata can also affect hair in other parts of the body (for example, the beard or eyebrows).

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own hair follicles. Most patients, however, do not have systemic problems and do not need medical tests. While alopecia areata is the frequency attributed to "stress", in fact, it may be otherwise; That is to say that alopecia can cause stress.

Treatments for alopecia areata include injecting small amounts of steroids such as triamcinolone into affected patches to stimulate hair growth. Although localized injections are not practical for large surfaces, it is often a very effective treatment to help hair return faster. Other treatments, such as oral steroids, other immunosuppressive therapy or ultraviolet radiation, are available for the most common or severe cases, but may be impractical for most patients due to potential side effects or risks. In most mild cases, patients can easily cover or comb the affected areas. In more severe and chronic cases, some patients wear hairpieces; Nowadays, some men shave all their scalp as this aspect has become fashionable.

What traction alopecia?

This is a small localized area or loss of hair caused by tension or repetitive or persistent tension in the hair roots. Tight braids and rides can be difficult to move in the hair to make them fall. If this happens, it is best to choose hairstyles that put less strain on the hair. At the beginning of this is carried out, the best to avoid permanent damage.

What is Trichotillomania?

What is Trichotillomania?

This refers to the breakage or the usual twisting of your own hair. The scalp and eyelashes are often affected. Unlike the alopecia areata patches, they are, patches for perfectly smooth hair in the trichotillomania show of broken hair. Treatment is often totally behavioral. Behavior must be taken into account and consciously stopped. Severe or resistant cases may require stress counseling to a therapist or psychologist or medical treatment with a psychiatrist. Several antidepressants or anti anxiety have been shown to help this condition.

Does it ring your head?

Ringworm is the medical term for fungal infection, and capitis means head. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp, which mainly affects school-aged children. Head ringworm is more common in black or African American scalp. This condition is rare in healthy adults. Bald usually show broken hair and are accompanied by dermatitis. Oral antifungals can penetrate the roots of the hair and cure the infection, after which hair enlargement. Swap hats or combs and brushes can transmit tinea capitis.

What is generalized (diffuse) hair loss?

It is a complete thinning hair without blemishes or specific bald patterns. While this type of hair loss may not be obvious to others, often the individual feels that their hair is not as thick or full as before. Common conditions in this category are

Telogen effluvium (rapid detachment after delivery, fever or sudden weight loss);

Androgenic or androgenic hair loss ("male pattern baldness", "female pattern baldness").

What treatment is there for hair loss in men?

What treatment is there for hair loss in men?

There are thousands of unproven applications and products to help grow hair. Many shampoos, conditioners, vitamins and other products are intended to help hair grow in an unspecified way. Nioxine was a popular brand of shampoo for hair loss, but there is definitive evidence that it proves to be more effective than regular shampoos. These products are generally harmless, but generally have not been scientifically proven and potentially unnecessary. To stop hair loss, there are at least four potentially effective basic options. These include medications such as Minoxidil and Propecia, which are intended for long-term use. Suspension of these medications seem to worsen or exacerbate hair loss earlier. The patient simply return to the state it would have been if treatment had not started.

Minoxidil (Rogaine): This topical medicine is available over the counter and is not prescribed. It can be used in men and women. This works best

Crown, except in the frontal region. Minoxidil is available as a 2% solution, 4% solution, 5% non-solid solution, and a new preparation of a foam or mousse. Rogaine can grow a little hair, but it is better to cling to what is still there. There are few side effects with Rogaine. The main problem with this treatment is the need to continue applying it once or twice a day, and most men will get tired after a while. In addition, minoxidil tends to work so well on the front of the head, where baldness bothers most men. Inappropriate application of the face or neck of the skin can cause unwanted hair growth in these areas.

Finasteride (Propecia): This medication is approved by the FDA for use in men with androgenic hair loss. Finasteride is in a class of drugs known as inhibitors of 5-alpha reductase. This is believed to help reduce hair loss by blocking the action of the natural hormones in the hair follicles of the scalp. Propecia is a low-dose version of a commercially available drug called Proscar, which helps reduce prostées enlargement of middle-aged and older men. Women of childbearing age should avoid finasteride. Propecia 1 mg tablets are available by prescription and taken once a day. Propecia can grow and thicken hair, to some extent for some people, but its main use is to keep hair (hold) that is always there. Studies have shown that this drug works well in certain types of hair loss and should be used for about six to twelve months before the full effects are determined. This drug "works" there are no days or weeks, and a visible improvement appears to be progressive. It may be preferable for men who still have enough hair to remember, but can also help raise the hair. Possible side effects, but very unlikely, include impotence or decreased sexual desire (libido). Studies have shown that these side effects were perhaps slightly more frequent than those observed in the general population and are reversible when the drug is discontinued. The cost is approximately $ 70- $ 100 / month, which is usually not covered by most health insurers.

A group of drugs known as topical prostaglandin analogues recently began undergoing tests to potentially identify hair. They can be used in men and women. These medications are not approved by the FDA for hair loss of the scalp. Currently, they are mainly used for the improvement of eyelashes. One of the new drugs is called bimatoprost (Latisse). Further tests and studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these products in the loss of scalp hair. The bimatoprost solution is sometimes used off the label to help in some cases of hair loss. It is currently approved by the FDA to improve cosmetic eyelashes. Studies have shown that it can handle the hypotricose (short or sparse) of the eyelashes by increasing their growth, including length, thickness and darkness. This medicine is also available commercially as Lumigan, which is used to treat glaucoma. It is not known exactly how this drug works in hair regeneration, but we believe that we extend the anagen phase (active phase) of hair growth. It is interesting to note that in all days of medical use Lumigan eye drops for patients with glaucoma, it was found that the cilia are longer and thicker among many users. This has led to clinical trials and approval of Latisse's cosmetic use for eyelashes.