Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of hair loss is not clear. Certain pre disposing factors have been recognized .As the age increases hair loss becomes a natural phenomenon. In certain individuals blandness can be hereditary also. Nutrition deficiency like low protein intake, iron deficiency or excess of vitamin A can also lead to hair fall. Hormonal imbalance and use of oral contraceptive pills can also cause hair loss. Certain infections like fungal infection, tinea capitis, and folliculitis can also lead to hair loss. Diseases like thyroid affections and syphilis can present with hair fall. Medications used to treat blood pressure, mycotic infection or diabetes mellitus can cause hair loss as side effect. Chemotherapy used for treatment of cancer can also induce hair loss. Hair loss following childbirth is common. Hairloss can also occur due to air and water pollution and use of certain shampoos or use of cosmetic chemicals.
Clinical presentation:
The patient can present with complaints like sudden loss of hair from scalp or body, full body hair loss, hair loss in patches or gradually thinning of hair. Hair loss in patches is self limiting and can grow back. As hair loss can affect the appearance it can cause psychological stress which again can induce loss of hair.
Male pattern baldness is characterized by residing hairline from scalp and in shape of M.
Female pattern baldness presents with thinning of hair or excessive hair loss associated with menstrual cycles.
Investigations:
Diagnosis can be done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient. Certain tests like the pull test and pluck test can be performed by the physician. Scalp biopsy can be done in cases when the diagnosis is not sure. Trichoscopy is the non invasive method for examining hair and scalp. For tracking the progress of diffuse thinning of hair in females and receding hairline in males the Ludwig Scale and the Savin Scale and Hamilton –Norwood scale are used respectively.
Treatment:
For some types of hair loss treatment is not necessary. Correction of dietary errors needs to be done. Intake of a balanced diet with adequate proteins and minerals should be promoted. Good hair care should be motivated. Use of wigs and hairpieces can also be adopted. Shampoos as per the hair type should be used. Topical application f medicines can be advised. If hair loss is due to the underlying diseases it should be corrected. Hair transplantation and hair weaving technique has been a boon in the field of tricology.
Other Modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up Hairloss. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine uses herbal and certain synthetic derivates.
Recent updates:
Researchers from Yale University have identified stem cells within the skin’s fatty layer and showed that molecular signals from these cells were necessary to spur hair growth.
A team of investigators from Columbia, Rockefeller and Stanford Universities has identified a new gene involved in hair growth. The advance tricology centers promotes Anagrow treatment which is the first of its kind in the world of hair care using “PCT Rejuva Max having Plant stem extracts and RF Anagrow 10X the first of its kind transdermal hair follicular penetrating machine.
