Diseases That Cause Hair Loss

There are many potential causes of hair loss, and many of them vary from person to person. Factors contributing to hair loss include genetics, disease, malnutrition, stress, certain medications, and hormonal imbalances. Though hair is likely to grow back, one needs to know the various medical conditions that cause hair loss.

Many people who experience hair loss are more interested in how the problem impacts their lives than focusing on the reason they are experiencing the problem. This is easy to understand because their self-image contributes to the majority of what takes place in their lives, and we live in a culture driven by image.

Diseases that cause hair loss include the following:

1. Pattern baldness, also called pattern hair loss/pattern balding It is a hair issue common in both men and women across the globe. The medical term for the problem is Androgenetic Alopecia. In men, this disease leads to hair loss that starts with both temples, and eventually, the hairline goes back, forming an “M” shape. Hair loss is also seen on the crown (at the top of the head).

In women, the disease causes thinning of the entire hair. However, the hairline does not recede. Complete baldness due to androgenic alopecia is rare in women.

Several genetic and environmental factors can cause the disease. A special group of hormones called androgens is associated with this problem. The main cause of this problem is an androgenic hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Increased concentrations of DHT cause changes in the dynamics of hair growth on the scalp, leading to pattern balding or pattern hair loss.

2. Hypotrichosis Hypotrichosis is a condition in which hair never grows. This differs from the condition of hair loss in an area that once had hair. In hypotrichosis, the affected area is bald from birth to the end of life. Common causes of hypotrichosis are genetic abnormalities or disorders in embryonic development. The most common forms of hypotrichosis are aplasia cutis congenital, triangular alopecia, and congenital atrichia.

3. Alopecia areata Alopecia areata is another form of hair loss disease. This autoimmune skin disease affects not only the scalp but also the hair follicles in the body. Everyone is vulnerable to this disease, regardless of gender or age.

In alopecia, the human immune system (white blood cells) inadvertently attacks the hair follicles. This ends the hair growth phase. The problem starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald spots on the scalp. It then slowly affects the entire scalp.

When the disease completely covers the scalp, it is called Alopecia Universalis, and when it affects the whole body, alopecia is universal.

4. Seborrheic dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis is primarily a skin problem. However, this can lead to temporary hair loss. The problem in children is called “cradle cap”. However, the situation will only show up at puberty. The problem is common in young people. It is rare in middle age. But again, it is more common in people around the age of 50. It is more common in men than in women. Seborrheic dermatitis is especially high in people with AIDS. The problem seems to be caused by a genetic component. One of the most controversial cause is a type of Malassezia yeast. Changes in humidity or seasonal changes also aggravate the disease.

5. Telogen effusion (TE)

Telogen effusion (TE) is an abnormal hair loss caused by a change in the normal hair growth cycle. Changes can be caused by various factors. This disease causes most hair to go into a dormant phase of the cycle, and the hair loss is greater than usual.

The victim suffers from diffuse thinning of the scalp. Thinning is not uniform. On the contrary, it is more severe in some areas than in others. The hair on the top of the head is usually thinner than on the sides and back. Except in rare cases of chronic telogen secretion, the scalp usually does not shrink.

Chronic telogen fumes affect other parts of the body, such as the eyebrows and hair on the genitals. Regardless of the type of hair loss, telogen efflux is completely restored because it has no lasting effect on the hair follicles.


6. Cancer

Cancer is a very serious disease that causes severe hair loss. There are different types of cancer. The most common cause of severe hair loss is skin cancer. There are mutated cells in the skin. These cells divide uncontrollably. The problem is that these cells are abnormal and do not have all the cellular functions or characteristics of cells in their place. If these cells are on the scalp, they will cause blemishes on the scalp.

It is usually an attempt by the body to destroy a mutated cancer cell, but if this happens, it also eliminates properties such as hair. Cancer weakens the skin’s defence mechanism and makes it vulnerable to other skin infections that can cause hair loss.

7. Pituitary Diseases The Pituitary glands manage the release of six different hormones namely: the thyroid-stimulating hormonal agent, Luteinizing hormonal agent, Prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormonal agent, adrenocorticotropic hormonal agent, and the hormonal growth agent. Considering that these hormonal agents are essential for hair growth, a disruption in their levels can cause hair loss. 8. Diabetes This is a disorder when the body lacks insulin to manage blood sugar levels. For that reason, the normal functioning of the skin is slowed thus, recovery from injury and hair regrowth is slower.

Other diseases that cause hair loss include fever, flu, and immune system infections. In these patients, it may take about 3-4 months after recovery for the body’s immune system to normalize and hair to start growing again. People with chronic diseases, especially those in need of major surgery, such as a heart transplant, suffer from hair loss due to severe concussions in their systems.

If you do not like the idea of having thinning hair, you can find natural methods to fix the problem in the long run rather than always depending on a wig or other related items to cover up the issue temporarily. Do you experience any of the above diseases or have been losing more hair than you normally do? You may need to see your doctor for medical advice on the right treatment of hair loss.