Tuesday, January 7, 2014

HAIR LOSS


Normal hair loss is up to 100-150 hairs per day. This condition usually is not associated with systemic or internal disease. There are many risk factors that include genetic factors, aging process. Thinning of hair in the age of thirty is often normal. A reversible hair loss is usually caused by stress, hormonal changes(pregnancy, puberty, menopause) and nutritional changes. Also some health conditions such as thyroid disease and iron deficiency anemia can cause hair loss. Hair loss is also seen as side effect of some medications as cancer and immune suppression medications. 
The hair loss is classified as diffuse and pitchy. Diffuse hair loss is when large areas or the hole scalp is affected. The localized hair loss is called pitchy. Ne the other hand pitch hair loss is classified as:
 -Traction alopecia (caused by tight braids or ponytails)
 -Alopecia areata (small circular or coin size baldness; usually the hair grows back within months)
 -Tinea capitis (baldness caused by fungal infection)
 -Trichotillomania (caused by twisting r pulling hair out)
Alopecia areata is considered as autoimmune condition (the body attacks his own hair follicles). Frequently stress is blamed for alopecia areata, but also alopecia areata can cause stress. Small smut of steroids is usually injected into affected patches to stimulate hair growth. Other treatments  are oral steroids, immunosupressives and ultraviolet light.
Tinea capitis is more common in African or afro-american peoples. It’s contagious from sharing hats, and  combs. After treatment with oral antifungals, the hair grows back.
Diffuse hair loss can be :
 -Telogen effluvium (rapid shedding after childbirth, fever or sudden weight loss)
 -Androgenetic f androgenic hair loss
Normally scalp hairs live about three years (called anagen/growing phase). After thaht during three months the hair root shrivels up into a small white “club” and the hair falls out, usually during shampooing (telogen/resting phase). Normally, about  10% of scalp hairs are in the telogen phase. Sometimes as a result of some circumstances 30%-40% of the hairs can enter into telongen. Three month later, hairs come ut on a massive shedding especially near the front of the scalp. These can be cause by: stress, sudden weight loss, childbirth, high fever, surgery, severe illness. The more dramatic the hair loss is, that better the prognosis is. No special treatment is needed for this condition (telogen effluvium).
Androgenetic/androgenic alopecia is shown in female and male. The name implies that hormones and genetic are both included.

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