What You Should Know About Hair Loss

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is a very common condition in both men and women. Although hair loss is more common in older adults, it can occur in anyone, including children. According to dermatologists, it is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, and when you have about 100 thousand hairs on your scalp, these losses are very small and go unnoticed. Under normal conditions, the lost hair is replaced with new hair, although not always.

Hair loss can occur gradually over the years, or it can start suddenly. Hair loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying cause.

What are the Symptoms of Hair Loss (Alopecia)?

The main symptom of alopecia is more hair loss than normal hair loss, but detecting this may be more difficult than previously thought. In general, the symptoms that indicate that you are losing more hair than normal are as follows;

• When you separate your hair, the part in between has a wider gap than normal,
• Your hairline is higher than normal,
• Abnormal hair accumulation on the comb after combing the hair,
• Regional baldness that can change in size and grow over time,
• Losing your hair too much after showering,
• If the cause of hair loss is a skin condition, pain or itching on your scalp.

How Is Hair Loss Diagnosed?

The underlying causes of hair loss are very diverse. Therefore, if you notice any changes in your hair, you should consult a doctor. Your doctor may ask you questions about your health history and perform physical therapy in order to limit the situations that may cause hair loss. He or she may also order various blood tests for nutrient deficiencies or blood counts. If they suspect an autoimmune disease, a piece of your scalp may be taken for biopsy.

What are the Treatment Options for Hair Loss?

Hair loss treatment varies depending on why the hair is falling out. Generally, tropical or oral medications are recommended to prevent or reduce hair loss. If hair loss appears to be related to an autoimmune condition, your clinician may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids. In addition, treatment can be performed with methods such as PRP and mesotherapy.

If the hair loss is unavoidable, the hair transplant method can be tried. This form of treatment can be applied to both women and men. Hair transplant surgery consists of moving small pieces of skin from the donor area, each containing a few hair follicles, to the bald areas of your scalp. Hair transplant operation gives good results for people who suffer from hereditary baldness. As some hair loss progresses without stopping, you may need more than one procedure over time.

How to Prevent Hair Loss?

There are several measures you can take to prevent hair loss. These measures are:

• Do not style your hair too tightly. If you regularly collect your hair in a bun, braid or ponytail, be careful not to do it too tightly.
• Avoid touching your hair. I try not to pull, twist or rub your hair as much as possible.
• While drying your hair, do this gently with a towel. Avoid rubbing and twisting your hair in a towel .
• Develop a nutrient-rich diet.
• Make sure you have plenty of iron and protein in your meals.
• Hair styling products and tools such as blow dryer, heated comb, hair straightener, dye products, bleach are the most important sources of hair loss. Avoid them as much as possible. If you are going to style your hair with a hot tool, do it while your hair is dry.
• Unless you have extremely oily hair, wash your hair every other day or less.

Whatever the cause of your hair loss, seeking medical advice from your first-line doctor or a dermatologist can help you identify the underlying causes. If hair loss treatments are started early, they are more likely to be successful.

Treatments may include changes in hair care methods, improvements in your diet, and medical treatments that can be applied topically or taken by mouth.

Even if hair loss is hereditary, there are treatments that can help slow or reverse hair loss. If possible, you should talk to your doctor to address your concerns and rule out any serious underlying medical concerns that may be causing your hair loss.

When to Go to the Doctor for Hair Loss?

It would be the best choice to see a specialist for unexplained and increasing hair loss. Your doctor can diagnose the underlying cause of the shedding and determine the most appropriate treatment method for you. During your meeting with your doctor, it is important not to forget to mention any other unusual symptoms you notice, including;

• unexplained weight loss
• burnout syndrome,
• High fever,
• changes in bowel movements,
• rashes or other skin changes on your scalp or body,
• Your most recent surgery or medical procedures
• Changes in your diet and diet,
• Vaccines you have had recently or medicines you are using,
• family history.

Which Vitamins Are Good for Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a complex issue and the role of nutrition in preventing or treating hair loss can be somewhat controversial. While nutrition and certain nutrients are vital to the hair growth process, increasing your intake of these nutrients may not help you, especially if you have a certain type of hair loss such as Scarring Alopecia or Cicatricial Alopecia. Apart from these, the vitamins and minerals that will support hair growth and development are as follows;

• B vitamins, especially riboflavin, biotin, folate and vitamin B12,
• Iron,
• vitamins C and D,

Although vitamin and mineral deficiencies are associated with weak hair, excessive vitamin and mineral consumption can also cause hair weakening and loss. Recent studies have revealed that excessive intake of vitamin A and selenium increases the risk of hair loss.

What are the diseases that cause hair loss?

The risk of hair loss may increase with some diseases. These diseases;

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• psoriasis on the scalp
• sexually transmitted infections
• thyroid disease
• Cancer