Hair Loss As A Disease?

Both men and women suffer from hair loss diseases. There are many factors for the loss of hair and this may also vary from one person to another. The common factors are generally related to genetics, malnutrition, stress, medication and hormonal imbalance. The following are the common hair loss diseases:

• Pattern baldness: The medical term for this is ‘Androgenetic alopecia’. It is also commonly known as pattern hair loss. A hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) shrinks the hair follicles and prevents the hair growth, which results in baldness. This is usually a heredity problem.

The hair loss in men is in a definite pattern. The hair loss starts from both the temples at first and finally the hairline move back to form a characteristic “M” shape. The hair loss may also starts from the crown of the head. This disease is quite rare among women. With women, this disease results in general thinning of hair but hairline does not recede. Some of the many hair loss diseases are:

• Hypotrichosis: Hypotrichosis is a condition where there is no hair growth at all. The area affected by this disease is completely bald from birth and will be for entire life. This is mainly caused by genetic aberrations or embryonic development defects. The common forms of this disease are triangular alopecia, aplasia cutis congenital and congenital atrichia.
• Alopecia areata: This hair loss disease not only affects a small portion of the scalp or the entire scalp but also the other areas of the body where hairs grow. Alopecia areata is common in both male and female. If this disease covers the entire scalp, it is called Alopecia totalis but if it affects the entire body, then it is called Alopecia universalis.
•  Seborrheic dermatitis: It is actually a skin problem but can also cause hair loss temporarily. It is called cradle cup in infants. But this is usually found among young aged individuals especially those who are experiencing puberty. Middle-aged people rarely have this problem. But after 50 years of age, it is again common. This is also more common among men than women. Seborrheic dermatitis is apparently caused by a genetic component. Change in climate may also worsen the disease.
• Telogen effluvium (TE): It is caused by variation in normal hair growth cycle. This variation is brought about by many factors. A great amount of hair enters the resting period of hair growth cycle and as a result it sheds more than normal.
• Stress: Stress also plays a role in hair loss. Depression and anxiety disturb the body balance and results in shedding of hair.