WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Alopecia is the medical term for
complete or partial hair loss. The most common form is the
all-too-familiar
male-pattern baldness. A less common (but surprisingly
frequent) form is
female-pattern alopecia, a thinning of the hair on the
front, sides, and crown of the head. Sudden, unexplained loss
of clumps of hair is termed
alopecia areata. Hair loss due to illness or medications
is called
toxic alopecia.
Causes
The cause of male- and
female-pattern alopecia is unknown, but it's thought to be
hereditary. Other forms of alopecia may be brought on by
factors such as fevers, thyroid disorders, radiation, burns to
the skin, aging, certain infections (such as scarlet fever and
syphilis) and some medications (particularly cancer
chemotherapy drugs).
Signs/Symptoms
Male-pattern baldness usually
begins with the hairline receding around the temples and
forehead and a gradual thinning on the top or around the crown
of the head. In some cases of alopecia areata, some or all of
the body hair may be lost as well. There is typically no pain
or itching associated with the hair loss.
Care
In most cases where the hair loss
is due to a particular therapy, drug, or illness, the hair will
grow back once the cause is eliminated. Male-pattern baldness
can't be completely cured, but may be partially reversed by the
oral drug Propecia (finasteride) or the topical medication
Rogaine (minoxidil). Rogaine may also help female-pattern
alopecia. For alopecia areata, steroid medications are
sometimes injected where the clumps have been
lost.
Some people opt for hair
transplants, a surgical procedure in which hair follicles are
transplanted to the area of hair loss from another part of the
head. The technique is painful and expensive, but often yields
permanent improvement.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO...
-
Ask your doctor about the
medications that may stimulate new hair
growth.
-
Take your medications exactly
as prescribed. Always check with your doctor before adding
any new medications to your regimen.
-
Continue to bathe and shampoo
as usual.
-
Do not tug or pull on normal
hair close to the areas of the hair loss.
Call Your Doctor
If...
-
Your hair loss increases
during treatment.
-
Hair loss does not diminish
as expected. (With the drug Propecia, you may have to wait
several months.)
-
Areas being treated with
injections show signs of infection, such as redness,
swelling, warmth or tenderness.
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