Alopecia is a type of hair loss that is caused by an autoimmune body reaction. Alopecia can affect the whole body or cause patches of hair loss in different hair-producing areas of the body. Trauma to the head that can occur in road traffic accidents or due to burns can also cause alopecia. Infection by microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa can also cause alopecia. Alopecia does not reduce your health status and is more of a cosmetic problem.
Alopecia can be a sign of an underlying disease like systemic lupus erythematosus. Some people are genetically predisposed to alopecia. It is therefore important to have an alopecia consultation and medical management in Lakewood Ranch when you are dealing with alopecia so that you can know what is causing the alopecia and get treatment. The severity of alopecia varies in different people and therefore treatment is individualized.
What Are the Causes of Hair Loss?
There are risk factors that can predispose you to alopecia including genetics. It could be that alopecia runs in your family. Hormonal imbalances that cause an increase in the amount of dihydrotestosterone hormone cause hair loss because high levels of this hormone cause your hair follicles to become weak and fall off. Losing a significant amount of hair can make you lose more hair.
Nutritional deficiency is a cause of hair loss because of nutrients like magnesium and selenium help in the growth of hair. Dehydration can also cause the hair to become brittle and fall off. Chemotherapy that is used to treat cancer kills the cells which are rapidly multiplying like the hair cells and therefore causes hair loss.
Treating your hair with harsh chemicals, applying hair dyes frequently, and combing wet hair are the causes of alopecia. Hair loss is a physiological change that occurs in old age. Having tight braids on your head pulls the hair causing it to pluck especially at the hairlines. Hormonal contraceptives cause an increase of androgenic hormones which trigger hair loss. Stress and negative emotions can cause your hair to fall off.
Some mental conditions can cause you to get an urge to pull out your hair in a condition called trichotillomania. Heavy periods make you lose iron which is a necessary nutrient for hair growth. Some women lose hair in the third month of the postpartum period. Other risk factors of hair loss include sunburns and being jet-lagged.
If you are experiencing excessive hair loss, you may also be at an increased risk of other conditions like thyroid diseases and vitiligo. There is a reported relationship between excessive hair loss and the risk of allergies like eczema and hay fever. You can reduce the risk of hair loss by eating a healthy diet, drinking a lot of water, marinating good hygiene of your scalp, and preventing the triggers of hair loss like stress, smoking, and malnutrition.
Conclusion
Hair loss is a cosmetic problem that affects many people and can be caused by genetics, diseases like diabetes, nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalance, and smoking. A severe form of hair loss called alopecia can be caused by genetic predisposition, trauma to the head, and infections. To prevent hair loss, you should eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, massage your scalp, and avoid the triggers of hair loss like smoking and stress.
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