Causes of hair loss

· Many people lose some hair after a major surgery. However, this type of hair loss is usually temporary and is due to trauma of the illness and surgery.

· Hair loss may also be caused by hormonal problems. An overactive or under active thyroid gland may be the reason. An imbalance of androgens and estrogens may also cause hair loss. Some women experience hair loss a few months after they've had a baby. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to normal levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again.

· Medication may cause hair loss include: anticoagulants, gout medication, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, excessive amounts of vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants.

· Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss. Also lupus and diabetes may cause hair loss as well.

· Hair loss may occur as part of another disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated.

· Scarring of the scalp can cause permanent hair loss. Hot oil hair treatments or chemicals used in permanents may cause inflammation (swelling) of the hair follicle, which can result in scarring and hair loss.

· Heredity also causes hair loss. This type of hair loss is commonly referred to as Male-pattern baldness.

Treatment

Depending on your type of hair loss, treatments are available. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Recognizing and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss.

Medicines may help slow or prevent the development of common baldness. One medicine, minoxidil (brand name: Rogaine), is available without a prescription and is for both men and women. It is applied to the scalp. Another medicine, finasteride (brand name: Propecia) is available with a prescription, but is only for men. It may take up to 6 months before you can tell if one of these medicines is working.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

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