Hair loss is a common phenomenon that is witnessed by many people around the world. Well, several signs indicate that the issue needs immediate medical attention.
Hair loss (Alopecia) refers to an interruption that is caused by the hair production cycle of the body. This can take place anywhere in the body, especially affecting the scalp. Hair loss, if ignored, can lead to permanent baldness. Hence, seeking medical help during the early signs of hair loss is necessary.
Hair loss is experienced by 2% of Canadians at least once in their lifetime. Often, hair loss results in serious issues because people ignore the warning signs. This article lists 10 warning signs that require medical attention.
Normal and Abnormal Hair Loss
Normal hair loss refers to the loss of hair strands because of the natural hair growth cycle. Meanwhile, abnormal hair loss is a condition in which you lose more hair as compared to normal hair loss leading to thinning and bald spots. Here is a comparison between normal and abnormal hair loss.
| Normal Hair loss | Abnormal Hair loss |
| Loss of 50-100 hairs per day | Loss of more than 100 hairs per day |
| No change in hair thickness | Visible thinning hair and bald patches |
| Hair loss takes place due to the stimulation of the scalp | Sudden falling of hair |
| No hair loss on other parts of the body | Hair loss on the eyebrows |
Table 1: Normal vs abnormal hair loss
What Are the Main Warning Signs When Hair Loss Needs Medical Attention?
Hair loss is experienced by many people, and there might be a need for a hair transplant if it is overlooked. Here are the top 10 warning signs that need medical attention.
- Rapid Hair Shedding
Are you witnessing sudden hair shedding? This is not a normal hair loss, and you must not ignore it. Rapid shedding refers to premature hair loss that can be caused because of nutritional deficiency or hormonal shift.
Sudden hair shedding is an abnormal hair loss that requires proper treatment. Hence, you need to seek medical attention while experiencing such a condition. - Bald Spots
Bald spots refer to an area in the head that lacks hair. A key symptom of hair loss in Laval (alopecie laval) can be patchy or circular bald spots.
This sign can be seen when your hair follicles are attacked by the immune system. This leads to falling out of hair in patches, thereby causing baldness. Consulting a doctor is very much necessary when someone is dealing with this condition. - Receding Hairline
A receding hairline refers to a condition where the hairline moves away from the temple. Well, this is common among men, but can also be seen within women. This is a warning sign of abnormal hair loss that must not be avoided.
Why does someone witness a receding hairline? This condition can be seen because of a hormonal imbalance. This damages the hair follicles, thereby disrupting your hair growth cycle. Therefore, an immediate hair loss diagnosis is required. - Redness and Itching in the Scalp
Redness or itching is a common problem that is seen in the scalp. Often, people experience this sign due to using a poor hair product. However, you need to get medical attention if such a condition persists even after changing the product.
Dandruff is a common cause of itching in the scalp. Psoriasis can also be a cause, and proper medical attention is required in this case. - Scalp Lesions
Scalp lesions are blister-like or scaly patches that might itch or bleed. In such cases, hair around the scalp lesion starts breaking off. People experience irritation in their scalp when they deal with this warning sign.
You can consider hair loss as a symptom of eczema. Like, scalp lesions can indicate any form of fungal infection. Therefore, it is better to consult a medical professional so that the right form of treatment can be acknowledged. - Hair Falling Out in Clumps
Do you see a lump of hair falling out after combing? In such instances, hair loss is more than 100, and that is not normal. Hence, you need to seek help from a trichologist.
Alopecia is not always normal. There might be several medical reasons for hair loss. This mainly occurs when your daily hair loss is not within 50-100. Here, a proper treatment procedure is to be adopted. - Hair Loss After Major Life Events
Any sad event in life can impose a permanent impact on your health. Eventually, this can also result in hair loss. Any tragic incident in life brings stress. This leads to telogen effluvium, and you experience abnormal hair loss.
Telogen effluvium is a temporary hair loss problem, which you mainly encounter due to any trauma. This condition is reversible, but you must not ignore it. Here, medical help is required. - Thinning Eyebrows or Body Hair
If someone witnesses sparse eyebrows or shedding of body hair, he or she must seek medical help urgently. Whether you have one or both eyebrows thinning, you must not avoid this condition.
Thinning eyebrows or body hair can be seen because of a hormonal imbalance or eczema. In such cases, a hair loss diagnosis is important. - No Regrowth After Several Months
Are you experiencing slower hair growth or cessation? This is not a normal condition, and you need to visit a trichologist immediately. Ageing can be a reason behind poor hair regrowth, which is normal. If you are not old and are not witnessing any regrowth after several months, there must be a serious condition, and you need medical help. - Family History of Early Baldness
If you have a family history of early baldness, there is a high chance of you getting androgenetic alopecia. You might see early signs of hair loss, like sudden shedding, receding hairline, bald spots, etc. You must seek medical attention as soon as you experience any symptoms.
Seeking a Hair Specialist
Here is the list of situations that you must not ignore, and you must consult a hair specialist.
- Hair getting thinner
- Development of bald spots
- Witnessing more hair breakage
- Inflammation on the scalp
What Are the Probable Treatment Options?
Different medical reasons for hair loss indicate the need for interaction with hair specialists. The professional might rely on certain tests (blood test, pull test, light microscopy, scalp biopsy, etc.) to confirm the actual disease. Let’s check out the main treatment options that are considered for abnormal hair loss.
- Medications: Whatever the symptoms might be, doctors will initially rely on medications for treatment. Some of the common medicines are minoxidil, finasteride, spironolactone, etc. These help to combat the warning signs, thereby treating hair loss.
- PRP therapy: Here, the concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood are injected into the scalp. This helps in promoting hair follicle health and cell regeneration.
- Hair transplantation: Hair transplantation is considered effective in cases of permanent hair loss. This surgery focuses on relocating healthy hair follicles. Hence, hair loss is treated and you can avail a lifelong result.
Wrapping Up
Hair loss can become serious if it is ignored. Some of the top warning signs are quick shedding, bald spots, receding hairline, itching in the scalp, etc. You need to consult a hair specialist if you witness any warning signs.
Getting the Right Treatment for Hair Loss?
We offer a range of treatments that are useful in treating hair loss. Consider us if you are experiencing any sudden shedding or bald spots. Don’t keep abnormal hair loss untreated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You must see a doctor if you feel that your hair has become more fragile or brittle.
Iron deficiency anaemia can be a cause of hair loss. People having this disease do not produce adequate haemoglobin that carries oxygen to cells. Blood flow to the scalp is decreased because of inadequate haemoglobin level, which leads to hair loss.
Wearing hats or helmets is not a common cause of hair loss. However, consistent wearing can put pressure on the scalp, and that can cause traction alopecia.
Hair transplant is not an ideal option for you if you have bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies, or uncontrolled diabetes.
