Medical Health Encyclopedia

Hair loss

Common Causes:

Baldness is not usually caused by a disease, but is related to aging, heredity, and testosterone. In addition to the common male and female patterns from a combination of these factors, other possible causes of hair loss, especially if in an unusual pattern, include:

• Hormonal changes (for example, thyroid disease, childbirth, or use of the birth control pill)
• A serious illness (like a tumor of the ovary or adrenal glands) or fever
• Medication such as cancer chemotherapy
• Excessive shampooing and blow-drying
• Emotional or physical stress
• Nervous habits such as continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing
• Burns or radiation therapy
• Alopecia areata -- bald patches that develop on the scalp, beard, and, possibly, eyebrows. Eyelashes may fall out as well. This is thought to be an immune disorder.
• Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)

References:

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Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Inc. 2004:844-845.

Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2005: 897.

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