January 15, 2009

Hair Loss In Women – The Most Common Causes

Filed under: Causes of Hair Loss — normanh @ 5:15 pm

Hair loss in women is a major cause of concern for them more so than for men due mainly to the vanity factor. For women, their hair is a huge part of their looks and general presentation and thinning hair or hair loss can in some cases result in stress and depression.

The cause of female hair loss can without doubt be linked to many things. Some can be related to natural internal causes while some can be caused by exposure to other factors in the person’s life.

The external factors that may result in female hair loss can be any of the following:

  • Illness
  • Medications – both prescribed and over-the-counter
  • Childbirth
  • Surgery and it’s associated trauma
  • Exposure to a broad range of diseases


In some rare cases exposure to certain chemicals and certain elements have been found to contribute to women losing their hair.In these cases the diagnosis is not difficult and is generally immediate.

Natural Cause of Female Hair Loss

People naturally shed hair everyday of their lives. Our hair has a growth cycle of around two to six years wherein a strand may grow continuously. Eventually it may fall out at the end of the cycle after a short resting period.

This is considered a natural cause of female hair loss when it occurs at the end of the cycle.Once this occurs the cycle recommences of it’s own accord and the strands begin to grow again.

Another cause of female hair loss may be the hairstyle that some women use daily. For example those who tie their hair in tight pony tails can aggravate the hair follicles. The constant pressure of pulling the hair can cause these to die out.  This can of course be easily remedied by giving your hair a break by just wearing it loose for a while.

Another natural cause of female hair loss is childbirth. In many cases, being pregnant releases hormones that can enhance the woman’s skin and hair. After childbirth, the loss of these hormones can result in hair loss. Some women may experience losing several strands of hair at a time while for others, the hair loss is minimal and they may not even notice it.

The natural cause of female hair loss can be any of the ones outlined above. They are normally fairly easy to spot.  


January 9, 2009

Hair Loss in Children

Filed under: Children Hair Loss — normanh @ 3:09 pm

Children can be somewhat calmer when dealing with hair loss compared to most adults. This is probably because children are less vain than adults, especially children below ten years old. There are many potential reasons for hair loss in children that do not include any diseases that are life threatening or need exposure to chemicals and elements for treatment.

Common Causes:

Tinea Capitis is one of the more common reasons for hair loss in children. Doctors say that Tinea Capitis is a fungal infection that stays on the scalp attacking the hair follicles and shafts of the hair strands. This form of hair loss in children is also known as ringworm of the scalp but it can actually occur in the eyelashes and eyebrows as well. Without the use of medication, this infection can be contagious, hence the need for immediate attention.

Alopecia Areata is another cause of hair loss in children that can causes bald patches on the child’s head and other areas with body hair. One theory that stands out for the cause of this disease is that the individual’s immune system is the one that causes it by attacking the follicles. This disease needs immediate treatment because if taken for granted, the child may lose all body hair.

Trichotillomania is another common cause of hair loss in children. This condition is made worse by the fact that it is the child who does this to himself. This condition that causes hair loss in children is considered to be an obsessive compulsive behavior where the child feels the need to pluck his hair consistently.

Treating hair loss in children of this type will require relaxation techniques and most likely behavioral therapy. The hair follicles in his condition are not usually damaged and hair will most likely grow back when the behavioral therapy improves.

Other causes of hair loss in children can be traction alopecia and trauma to the individual. Traction alopecia is a condition where the hair is consistently rubbed or pulled, resulting in stress at the hair shaft. Hair will then cease to grow in the spot frequently disturb or the hair has a tendency to break of cease to grow due to pressure of hairstyles.

Trauma can take many forms and can affect an individual in different ways. Our bodies can react to trauma by withdrawing nutrients for the hair resulting in hair loss in children and in adults as well. Hair loss in children need not be traumatic for them. The right attitude the parent needs to take when faced with their child’s hair loss is a supportive and loving attitude.

December 26, 2008

Hair Loss and Cancer -Do They Go Hand in Hand?

Filed under: Causes of Hair Loss — normanh @ 2:24 pm

When it comes to hair loss, many things like cancer are immediately thought to be the reason. Although hair loss does not necessarily mean that a preliminary illness has to be present, in many cases, it is the case.

The reason for this has not been entirely cleared up, but lots of times illness brings about hair loss for a number of different reasons.

Why Cancer Can Contribute to Hair Loss

It has been said that cancer does not relate to losing your hair. Although the disease may not directly link itself to hair loss, it can create many instances where hair loss is promoted in a person that has cancer.

With cancer, treatment such as chemotherapy is very common, and this kind of treatment is legendary for its risky side effect of promoting massive hair loss. During the treatment term, hair loss is endured by the majority or people who must take chemotherapy treatment.

Another link between cancer and hair loss is the symptoms that cancer can cause in a patient. Severe depression is common in cancer patients, and depression of any kind can surely promote hair loss.

Hair loss in cancer patients that experience stress and unsettled feelings are susceptible to hair loss as well.

What Can be Done?

Family members of cancer patients play a huge roll in the health and well being of the patient. When it comes to cancer and hair loss, there is not much that can be done about the loss of hair due to chemotherapy but friends and family can help deter the other symptoms that patients can experience that can relate to losing their hair.

Keeping control of financial and turmoil situations for a loved one while they are sick is a great way in keeping their stress levels down, in turn relieving a lot of the chance that they’ll experience hair loss due to stress.

Helping to console and keep loved ones busy when they show signs of depression is another great detractor for people who are susceptible to hair loss.

The Hair is Gone, Now What?

Once hair loss is experienced and getting it back isn’t happening anytime soon if ever at all, it’s time to think about the things that can be done to help remedy the situation.

There are many different organizations out there that create and provide wigs and other hair accessories just for people who suffer from cancer. These foundations will work with anyone, regardless of their ability to pay for a wig or accessory.

Doctors will usually refer the patient to a few businesses that can help them create an appearance that will help them keep their heads held high, and help get a patient’s life back to normal.
 

When it comes to hair loss, many things like cancer are immediately thought to be the reason. Although hair loss does not necessarily mean that a preliminary illness has to be present, in many cases, it is the case.

The reason for this has not been entirely cleared up, but lots of times illness brings about hair loss for a number of different reasons.

Why Cancer Can Contribute to Hair Loss

It has been said that cancer does not relate to losing your hair. Although the disease may not directly link itself to hair loss, it can create many instances where hair loss is promoted in a person that has cancer.

With cancer, treatment such as chemotherapy is very common, and this kind of treatment is legendary for its risky side effect of promoting massive hair loss. During the treatment term, hair loss is endured by the majority or people who must take chemotherapy treatment.

Another link between cancer and hair loss is the symptoms that cancer can cause in a patient. Severe depression is common in cancer patients, and depression of any kind can surely promote hair loss.

Hair loss in cancer patients that experience stress and unsettled feelings are susceptible to hair loss as well.

What Can be Done?

Family members of cancer patients play a huge roll in the health and well being of the patient. When it comes to cancer and hair loss, there is not much that can be done about the loss of hair due to chemotherapy but friends and family can help deter the other symptoms that patients can experience that can relate to losing their hair.

Keeping control of financial and turmoil situations for a loved one while they are sick is a great way in keeping their stress levels down, in turn relieving a lot of the chance that they’ll experience hair loss due to stress.

Helping to console and keep loved ones busy when they show signs of depression is another great detractor for people who are susceptible to hair loss.

The Hair is Gone, Now What?

Once hair loss is experienced and getting it back isn’t happening anytime soon if ever at all, it’s time to think about the things that can be done to help remedy the situation.

There are many different organizations out there that create and provide wigs and other hair accessories just for people who suffer from cancer. These foundations will work with anyone, regardless of their ability to pay for a wig or accessory.

Doctors will usually refer the patient to a few businesses that can help them create an appearance that will help them keep their heads held high, and help get a patient’s life back to normal.

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