Common Causes of Hair Loss

Even though everyone has unique circumstances when it comes to thinning hair, there are many common causes of hair loss.

Autoimmune diseases – an immune reaction attacks the hair at the root (or follicle). Anti-bodies attack hair tissue as if they were foreign invaders.

Androgenic Alopecia – the body’s immune system is sensitized to increased levels of DHT in the scalp causing hair loss in these highly concentrated DHT areas. DHT causes 95% of hair loss.
Alopecia totalis/universalis – immune sensitivity to a substance other than DHT.

Connective tissue disease – causes scarring of skin, loss of circulation to hair follicles, and an autoimmune reaction leading to temporary or permanent loss of hair.

Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma
MCTD

Exposure to toxic chemicals – common toxic chemicals, such as tobacco smoke, contain hundreds of lethal and damaging chemicals that can accelerate normal hair loss. This can be caused directly by smoking or indirectly by second-hand smoke.

Chemotherapy or Radiation exposure – Irradiation therapy or exposure to radiation from any source can cause localized or total hair loss, sometimes permanently.

Iron deficiency anemia – very common in women but can also affect men.

Hormonal changes – due to pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause and/or illnesses.

Thyroid disease – either hypothyroid or hyperthyroid disease causes hair to become brittle and break resulting in localized or generalized loss. Correction of the thyroid condition usually causes hair to re-grow.

Excessive or lack of vitamins – too much vitamin A can cause hair loss. Medicines; some prescription and over-the-counter meds can foster side effects such as hair loss (see below). Usually, when the medication is discontinued, the hair re-grows.

Individual reaction to illness or a personal sensitivity to the environment – Alopecia can be a reaction to foreign elements in your environment, similar to an allergic reaction.

Fungal and bacterial infections – impetigo and tinea capitis.

Prescription Drugs and Hair Loss

Here are some common ailments and drugs that can affect an individual’s hair loss, either slightly or dramatically:

Acne – Accutane.
Blood – Anticoagulants such as Panwarfin, Sofarin, Coumadin, Heparin.
High Cholesterol – Atronids, Lopid.
Convulsion/Epilepsy – Anticonvulsants – Tridore.
Antidepressants – Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Anafranil, Janimine, Tofranil, Adapin, Sinequan, Surmontil, Pamelor, Ventyl, Elavin, Endep, Norpramin, Pertofane, Vivactil, Asendin, Haldol.
Weight Loss – Amphetamines.
Fungus – Antifungal medicines.
Glaucoma – Timoptic eye drops, Ocudose, XC.
Gout – Allopurinol.
Heart Beta-Blockers – such as Tenormin, Lopresser, Corgard, Inderal.
Hormonal conditions – birth control pills, Progesterone, Estrogen, male androgenic hormones, and all forms of testosterone, anabolic steroids, Prednisone, and other steroids.
Inflammation – Arthritis drugs, NSAIDS such as Naprosyn, Anaprox, Indocin, Clinoril.
Anti-inflammatory drugs – Methotrexate, Rheumatex, Folex.
Parkinson’s Disease – Levadopa.
Thyroid disorders – most all of these drugs.
Ulcers – both prescription and OTC Tagamet, Zantac, and Pepcid.

If any of these common causes of hair loss apply to you, contact us to find out what we can do to help before you lose more hair.