What is Alopecia?

Alopecia is the medical term for baldness or hair loss.

What Causes Alopecia?

• AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS- disorders which arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body (in other words, the body attacks its own cells) include diseases such as Diabetes, Lupus, and Multiple Sclerosis to name a few, can induce hair loss.
• SEVERE EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL STRESS -traumatic experiences, both emotional and physical, whether it be a death or a divorce, or tremendous stress on the body itself, can sometimes induce hair loss.
• MENOPAUSE -due to falling estrogen levels, some women may experience hair loss before, during or after menopause.
• POOR NUTRITION- insufficient protein or iron in your diet or poor nourishment in other ways including eating disorders can cause hair loss.
• MEDICATIONS- birth control pills and certain drugs used to treat arthritis, depression, gout, high blood pressure and heart problems may cause hair loss.
• MEDICAL TREATMENTS- undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy may cause hair loss. Hair typically grows back after these treatments though.
• HORMONAL CHANGES- hormonal changes and imbalances (for instance, due to pregnancy, child birth, beginning menopause, or an overactive or underactive thyroid gland) may lead to temporary hair loss.
• HAIR TREATMENTS- excessive brushing, dying, tinting, bleaching, or straightening can cause the hair to become damaged and break off.
• SCALP INFECTIONS- infections, such as ringworm, can attack the skin of your scalp and invade the hair shaft, causing hair loss. Hair usually grows back after the infection is treated.
• NERVOUS HABITS- Hair usually grows back after the infection is treated. ? NERVOUS HABITS?nervous habits such as continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing lead to the hair loss condition called trichotillomania.

*You should consult your doctor with specific questions you may have about your hair loss condition.