Topic Overview
Is hair loss normal?
Everyone loses some hair
every day. Losing up to 100 hairs a day is normal.
But if hair
loss runs in your family, you could lose a lot more hair. With this kind of hair loss, you may
end up with bald spots if you are a man. If you are a woman, you may find that the hair on the top of your head is slowly thinning. About half of all
people have this type of hair loss by around age 50.
Other factors, such as
diseases and medicines, also can cause you to lose more hair than
normal.
Although hair loss is fairly common, it can be a tough
thing to live with, especially when it changes how you look. But there are ways
you can treat your hair loss.
What causes hair loss?
Common causes of hair loss
include:
- Heredity. In most cases, hair loss is
inherited, which means it’s passed down from one or both of your parents. This
is called male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss.
- Stress,
including physical stress from surgery, illness, or high
fever.
- Chemotherapy, which is powerful
medicine that destroys cancer cells.
- Damage to your hair from
pulling it back too tightly, wearing tight braids or ponytails, or using
curling irons or dyes.
- Age, since you grow less hair as you get
older. Hair also gets thinner and tends to break more easily as you age.
- Poor diet, especially not getting enough protein or
iron.
- Thyroid diseases, like
hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism.
- Ringworm of the scalp, which is common in
children.
What are the symptoms?
Your symptoms will depend
on what kind of hair loss you have.
If your hair is thinning, it
happens slowly over time, so you may not notice the hairs falling out. If your
hair is shedding, then clumps of hair fall out. You may lose hair all over your
scalp, which is called general hair loss. Or you may lose hair only in one
area, which is called focal hair loss.
With inherited hair loss,
men usually get bald spots around the forehead or on the top of the head, while
women have some thinning all over the scalp, but mostly on the top of the head.
Since your hair has a lot to do with your
appearance, losing it may cause you to have lower self-esteem if you don't like
how you look. This is especially true in women and teens.
How is hair loss diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask
you some questions, like how much hair you're losing, when it started, and
whether your parents have hair loss. He or she will look closely at your scalp
and hair loss pattern and may gently pull out a few hairs for tests.
If it’s not clear what’s causing you to lose your hair, your doctor may
do a blood test or look at a sample of your hair or scalp with a
microscope.
How is it treated?
How you choose to treat your
hair loss depends on the cause. It also depends on your feelings. You may
decide that you need treatment, or you may not be worried about thinning hair
or baldness. The choice is up to you.
Hair loss that runs in the
family can be treated with medicines or with surgery, such as hair
transplant surgery. Some people choose to wear hairpieces, like wigs or toupees (say
"too-PAYZ"). Finding different ways of styling your hair, like dyeing or
combing, also can help. If hair loss is caused by something you can control,
like stress or medicines, you can treat it by getting rid of the cause.
When you are deciding about treatment, think about these
questions:
- Which treatment is most likely to work?
- How
long will it take?
- Will it last?
- What are the side
effects and other risks?
- How much will it cost, and will insurance
cover it?
Will your hair grow back?
When your hair loss is
inherited, your hair won't grow back naturally. Treatment can help some hair
grow back and prevent more from falling out, but you probably won't get all
your hair back. And treatment doesn't work for everyone.
When
medicines, stress, or hair damage cause you to lose your hair, it often will
grow back after you take away the cause. If this doesn't help, you may need
other treatment.
If you're unhappy with how hair loss makes you
look, treatment may help you feel better. It’s natural to want to like the
way you look.
But keep in mind that treatment, especially
medicines and surgery, can have some side effects and risks. Be sure to discuss
your decision with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learning about hair loss:
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Living with hair loss:
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Cause
Excessive
hair loss (more than 100 hairs a day) can be caused by
inherited factors, disease, stress, medicines, injury, aging, or hair care.
Inherited hair loss
The most common cause of hair
loss is
genetics—you inherit the tendency to lose hair from
either or both of your parents. This is called male-pattern hair loss or
female-pattern hair loss. The medical term for this type of hair loss is
androgenetic alopecia.
In this type of
hair loss, your
genes affect how your hair grows. They trigger a
sensitivity to a class of hormones called
androgens, including testosterone, which causes
hair follicles (which hair grows from) to shrink. Shrinking follicles produce
thinner hair and eventually none at all. Men generally develop bald spots on
the forehead area or on the top of the head, while women often have thinning of the hair on the top of the head. About half of all people have
inherited hair loss by about 50 years of age.
Other causes of hair loss
Common causes of hair
loss include:
- Ringworm of the scalp, which is common in
children.
- Mental stress or physical stress, such as recent surgery,
illness, or high fever. You may have a lot of hair loss 4 weeks to 3 months
after severe physical or emotional stress. Your hair usually will grow back
within a few months.
- Hair care. Pulling your hair back too
tightly or wearing tight braids or ponytails can cause hair loss. You may lose
hair around the edge of the hairline, especially around the face and forehead.
Using curling irons or dyes continually can also result in hair loss. Hair
usually grows back when these activities are stopped.
- Age. As you age, your hairs tend to break more easily, and hair
follicles do not grow as much hair.
- Poor nutrition, especially lack of
protein or
iron in the diet. Hair returns after you change your
diet to get enough of these nutrients.
- Thyroid diseases, including
hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism.
Other causes of hair loss include:
- Alopecia areata, an
autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks
hair follicles, resulting in obvious, round hairless patches on any area of the
scalp or body. Severe cases involve many bald patches of hair or complete loss
of hair on the scalp or body, although in some cases there is hair thinning
without distinct patches of baldness. The hair loss usually is not permanent, and hair grows back within 1 year for most people.
- Diseases, such as
lupus,
syphilis, or cancer. Hair may grow back on its own,
although you may also need treatment.
- Side effects of
medicines or medical treatments, such as blood
thinners (anticoagulants) or
chemotherapy. Hair usually grows back after you stop
using the medicines or when the treatment is over.
- Trichotillomania, a compulsive behavior in which a
person pulls hair out of the scalp, eyelashes, or eyebrows. There is usually
mounting tension before pulling and a feeling of relief afterward.
Trichotillomania often results in noticeable hair loss.
- Injury to
the scalp, including scarring. Injuries can damage hair follicles and cause hair
loss.
- Changes in hormone levels. Childbirth, taking birth control
pills, or changes in a woman's
menstrual cycle can affect the hair growth cycle and
cause hair loss. Hair usually will grow back.
Hair loss can be categorized by
types. Different types of hair loss may have different
causes. For example, one type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium is caused
by stress and side effects of medicines. Another hair loss type, traction
alopecia, is caused by hair care.
Symptoms
Hair loss can
occur as thinning, in which you may not notice hair falling out, or as
shedding, in which clumps of hair fall out.
In the most common
type of hair loss, inherited hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), men tend to lose hair on the front hairline and forehead and
on top of the head. Eventually, only hair around the ears, the sides, and the back
of the head remains. Women with this condition typically have gradual
thinning throughout the scalp, but mostly on the top of the head.
Other causes of hair loss may also show distinct
patterns. For example, conditions such as
trichotillomania (compulsively pulling at the hair) or
alopecia areata (in which the immune system attacks
hair follicles) result in obvious patches of hair loss, while stress and some
medicines result in clumps of hair falling out.
Because hair is an
important part of appearance, hair loss can also result in loss of self-esteem
and feeling unattractive, especially in women and teens.
What Happens
What happens in
hair loss depends on its cause.
Inherited hair loss
Inherited hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is also called male-pattern hair loss or female-pattern hair loss. About half the population have some hair loss by about 50
years of age. Men may start losing hair between the ages of 15 and 25, and women are more likely to start losing hair between the ages of 25 and 30, or in some cases, after menopause.1
Men tend to lose hair on the front hairline and temples
and on top of the head. Eventually, they may go completely bald.
Women generally lose less hair than men, but they have a similar pattern of hair loss. Women may have slight, moderate, or even severe hair loss, but they don't usually lose all their hair.
For both men and women, inherited hair loss must be treated early for
hair to regrow.
Other causes of hair loss
Alopecia areata is
hair loss caused when the immune system attacks
hair follicles, where hair growth begins. It usually starts with one or more
small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp
hair loss or complete body hair loss. It often begins in childhood. The hair
usually grows back within 1 year. But hair loss in alopecia areata often comes
and goes—the hair will grow back over several months in one area but will fall
out in another area.
Hair loss also may be caused by stress,
disease, medicines or medical treatments. In these cases,
clumps of hair may fall out. But after the cause is stopped, the hair usually
grows back, although sometimes treatment may be needed.
Treatment to regrow hair does not work for everyone.
If your hair loss is inherited, treatment may not permanently restore your
hair. If your hair loss is caused by medicine, stress, or damage, hair often
grows back after the cause is removed, although sometimes you will need
treatment.
For both men and women, hair thinning and baldness
increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer on the scalp. When in the sun, it
is important to wear a hat or use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more to
prevent sun damage to the scalp.
What Increases Your Risk
Factors that increase the
risk of
hair loss include:
- Genetics (inherited tendency). If one or both of your parents have hair loss, it is likely
that you will also.
- Disease or illness.
Certain diseases or an illness can cause hair loss. The diseases may include
ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis), thyroid diseases such as
hyperthyroidism and
hypothyroidism, or
lupus. The illness may include a severe infection or
high fever.
- Age. Many people have some hair
loss by the age of 50.
- Medicines and medical treatments. Certain
medicines or medical treatments can cause scalp
problems and hair loss.
- Hair care and styling. Some methods of hair care or hair styles can damage hair and
cause hair loss.
Although most people with hair loss caused by
alopecia areata regrow their hair, certain people are
at greater risk for their hair not growing back. If you have a family history
of the condition, have the condition at a young age, have an
autoimmune disease, are prone to allergies (atopy), have extensive hair loss, or have abnormal
color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails, you are
more likely to have permanent hair loss.
When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor if:
- Your
hair loss is sudden, rather than
gradual.
- You notice hair shedding in large amounts after combing or
brushing, or if your hair becomes thinner or falls out.
- You are
concerned that a medicine may be causing your hair loss.
- You have a
rash, scaliness, or any change in the skin on your scalp with hair
loss.
- You see signs of bacterial infection on your scalp, such as:
- Increased pain.
- Swelling,
redness, tenderness, or heat.
- Red streaks extending from the
area.
- Discharge of pus.
- Fever of
100°F (37.8°C) or higher with
no other cause.
- Your hair is gradually thinning and balding, and
you want to discuss treatment options with your doctor.
Watchful waiting
Watchful waiting is a period of time during
which you and your doctor observe your symptoms or condition without using
medical treatment. Watchful waiting may be appropriate if your hair loss is
gradual and is similar to the pattern of hair loss seen in your parents or
brothers or sisters. But if your gradual hair loss bothers you, your doctor may
be able to slow or reverse it. If clumps of hair fall out, your hair loss may
be caused by a disease, and it is important to contact your doctor.
Hair loss caused by
alopecia areata often reverses on its own. Watchful
waiting is an option after you have been diagnosed with this condition.
Who to see
Health
professionals who can give you advice and treatment on hair loss
include:
Hair transplant surgery is usually done by:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Exams and Tests
Hair loss is
diagnosed through a medical history and physical examination. Your doctor will
ask you questions about your hair loss, look at the pattern of your hair loss,
and examine your scalp. He or she may also tug gently on a few hairs or pull
some out.
The most common cause of hair loss, inherited hair
loss is easily
recognized. Men tend to lose hair from the forehead area and top of the head
with normal amounts of hair on other areas of the scalp. Women tend to keep their front hairline, but have thinning of the hair on the top of the head.
Hair loss history
To determine the cause of your
hair loss, your doctor may ask you about:
- Characteristics of your hair loss. Is your
hair thinning, with your scalp becoming more visible, but your hair is not
noticeably falling out? Or is your hair shedding, with lots of hair falling
out?
- How long your hair loss has been occurring. How long has it
been since you had your normal amount of hair?
- Your family history
of hair loss. Does your mother or father, brother or sister, or any other
relative have hair loss? If so, what caused their hair loss?
- Your
hairstyling habits. Has your hair become fragile from pulling it too tight or
from other hairstyling habits? Have you had any chemical treatments to your
hair, such as permanents (perms) or bleaching? Do you use a blow-dryer that may
be too hot? Is a curling iron damaging your hair?
- Any
recent
illness. Have you had any skin rashes, such as
ringworm, recently?
- Medicines you are
taking. Are you taking blood thinners (anticoagulants)
or medicines for
arthritis,
depression, or heart problems? Have you had any
cancer treatment?
- Your diet. Are you
getting enough
protein and
iron in your diet?
Tests
If the reason for your hair loss is not
clear, your doctor may do tests to check for a disease that may be causing your
hair loss. Tests include:
- Hair analysis. Your doctor will take a sample of your
hair and examine it under a microscope. A scalp sample might also be
taken.
- Blood tests, including testing for a specific condition,
such as an overactive or underactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism
or
hypothyroidism).
Hair loss in women is more difficult to diagnose than
it is in men because the pattern of hair loss is not as noticeable as it is in
men. In women with mild to moderate hair thinning who are otherwise healthy
(with normal menstrual and fertility history), testing to
diagnose hair loss usually is not done. But in women who have irregular
menstrual cycles, continued episodes of
acne, or too much body hair (hirsutism), testing for a
class of hormones called
androgens, including
testosterone, is sometimes done.
Treatment Overview
Some people choose to treat
hair loss with medicines or surgery, such as hair
transplant surgery. Others choose to wear hairpieces (wigs or toupees) or use
different methods of hair styling (dyeing or combing). The approach you use
depends on the cause of your hair loss. Some people feel they need treatment,
while others are not as concerned about thinning hair or baldness.
If a disease, medicine, or stress is the cause, then treating the
disease, changing medicines, or eliminating or learning to manage the stress
may stop the hair loss.
Treatment for hair loss may help you feel better about how you look, although the trade-off might be that it
affects your health. Some medicines may have harmful side effects, and surgery
may carry certain risks.
Inherited hair loss
Treatment for inherited hair
loss aims to prevent
hair loss, promote hair growth, and cover bald areas of the scalp. But
treatment is not successful for everyone, and you should not expect to regrow a
full head of hair.
Medicines include:
- Minoxidil. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is
available without a prescription and is sprayed on and/or rubbed into the scalp
twice a day.
- Finasteride. Finasteride (Propecia) is available by
prescription and is taken once daily in pill form. Finasteride has not been
proved effective in women and is not approved for women by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).2 Women who are or may
become pregnant should not take or handle crushed or broken tablets, because
finasteride can cause birth defects.
Hair Loss: Should I Take Medicine to Regrow Hair?
Surgery includes:
- Hair transplant surgery. During this surgery, your doctor will move small grafts (pieces
of skin with
hair follicles) from areas of your scalp with full hair to areas of your
scalp that are bald or thinning. The grafts may include single hairs or up to
30 hairs in one graft. This is the most common type of surgery used to treat
hair loss.
- Scalp reduction. Scalp reduction involves removing large
areas of bald scalp from the head. Sections of the scalp with growing hair are
then stretched and sewn together to fill in the bald areas.
- Scalp
flaps. Scalp flaps involve moving a large section of scalp containing hair from
the side and back of the scalp to a bald area. One side of the flap remains
attached to the scalp as the section of scalp with hair is moved to cover a
bald area. The complication rate of this procedure is higher than other
procedures because of bleeding, scarring, and infection after surgery.
Cosmetic approaches to hair loss include:
- Wearing hairpieces.
Hairpieces are made from human or synthetic hair that is implanted into a nylon
netting. Hairpieces may be attached to the scalp with glue, metal clips, or
tape. Hair weaving, which involves sewing or braiding pieces of long hair into
existing hair, is not recommended because it may cause permanent hair loss.
- Using certain hair care products and styling
techniques. Hair care products or perms may make hair appear thicker. Dyes may
be used to color the scalp. But continual use of perms or dyes may result in
more hair loss.
Treatment for other causes of hair loss
Hair
loss can be caused by
diseases,
medicines or medical treatments, recent surgery, high
fevers, emotional stress,
lack of protein or
iron, and
hair care, such as using dyes. Often, treating the
cause stops the hair loss, and hair grows back. In some cases, other treatment
is needed.
Hair loss caused by
cancer treatment requires special care: use mild
shampoos and do not use a hair dryer.
Alopecia areata
occurs when the
immune system attacks hair follicles, where hair
growth begins. Because hair usually grows back within a year, you may decide
not to have treatment. Understanding the come-and-go nature of hair loss with
this condition can help you make the best treatment decision. Children and
teens may need counseling to help them adjust to the hair loss.
Medicine used for alopecia areata includes:
- Corticosteroids injected into the scalp.
The corticosteroid is injected many times about
1 cm (0.4 in.) apart every 4 to
6 weeks. This is the most common treatment in adults and is best used for
treating patchy hair loss. Limited research reports that hair grows back at the
site of injection in some people.3
- Corticosteroid ointments or creams you put on the
scalp. There is little evidence that they cause hair growth when used
alone.3 Corticosteroids may be used along with
injected steroids or with other medicines such as minoxidil
(Rogaine).
- Corticosteroids you take by mouth (oral). Although this
results in hair growth, it is rarely used because of the side effects of oral
corticosteroids.
- Contact immunotherapy, which may be the most effective treatment for severe
alopecia areata.3 A common medicine used is
diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), which is "painted" on the scalp once a week at
increasing strengths. The DPCP irritates the skin, making it itchy and scaly.
This treatment is not widely available.
- Psoralen with ultraviolet A light (PUVA) therapy. For PUVA, a medicine called a psoralen is used
to make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Then the skin is
exposed to UVA light.
What to think about
How successful your treatment
is depends on your expectations and the cause of hair loss. Treatment for hair
loss caused by an illness, medicine, or damage to the hair usually is more
successful than treatment for inherited hair loss.
Considerations
about inherited hair loss include:
- The cost. Medicine or surgery to treat hair loss can be
expensive and often is not covered by insurance.
- Length of
treatment. Medicines must be taken continuously, or the regrown or thickened
hair will fall out. Surgery can be lengthy, and in most cases you will need
several surgeries to achieve the coverage you want.
- Side effects.
Long-term effects of some hair loss medicines are not known.
- Type
of treatment. Medicines that must be taken continuously can be expensive and
can increase the chance of side effects. Surgery, which may be a more permanent
solution, is also expensive. In addition, surgery involves risks and the chance
that not all hair follicles will remain healthy.
Women with inherited hair loss who wish to take birth
control pills should use a pill type that does not add to hair loss, such as a
norgestimate or ethynodiol diacetate.4
Prevention
Hair loss that
is caused by
medicines, stress,
lack of protein or
iron, or
hair care may be prevented. Avoiding certain
medicines, reducing stress, getting adequate protein and iron in your diet, and
using hairstyles that don't damage your hair may reduce or prevent hair
loss.
Inherited hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) cannot be prevented.
Home Treatment
Home treatment for
hair loss includes hair care and hairstyling
techniques that may help you cover thinning or bald spots on the scalp. This
may be easier for women because inherited hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) causes a general thinning that
is usually not as severe as it is in men. Hair sprays, dyes, and perms can help
make the hair appear fuller.
In women with inherited hair loss,
hair care and the occasional use of grooming products, hair sprays, hair color,
teasing, permanents, or frequent washing won't increase hair loss. But if
your hair loss is caused by hair care, then perms and dyes may contribute to
more hair loss.
For both men and women, hair thinning and baldness
increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer on the scalp. When in the sun,
wear a hat or use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more to prevent sun damage
to the scalp.
Medications
Medicines for
hair loss can slow thinning of hair and increase
coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs. But
they need to be taken continuously. If the medicines are stopped, any hair that
has grown in will gradually be lost, and within 6 to 12 months your scalp will
most likely appear the same as before treatment.
- Hair Loss: Should I Take Medicine to Regrow Hair?
Medication choices
Medicines often used to treat inherited hair loss
(androgenetic alopecia) include:
- Minoxidil. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is
available without a prescription and is sprayed on and/or rubbed into the scalp
twice a day.
- Finasteride. Finasteride (Propecia) is available by
prescription and is taken once daily in pill form. Finasteride has not been
proved effective in women and is not approved for women by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).2 Women who are or may
become pregnant should not take or handle crushed or broken tablets, because
finasteride can cause birth defects.
Medicines used to treat
alopecia areata, which is caused when the immune
system attacks
hair follicles, include:
- Corticosteroids injected into the scalp. The corticosteroid is
injected many times about
1 cm (0.4 in.) apart every 4 to
6 weeks. This is the most common treatment in adults and is best used for
treating patchy hair loss. Limited research reports that hair grows back at the
site of injection in some people.3
- Corticosteroid ointments or creams you put on the
scalp. There is little evidence that they cause hair growth when used
alone.3 Corticosteroids may be used along with
injected steroids or with other medicines such as minoxidil
(Rogaine).
- Corticosteroids you take by mouth (oral). Although this
does result in hair growth, it is rarely used because of the side effects of
oral corticosteroids.
- Contact immunotherapy, which may be the
most effective treatment for severe alopecia areata.3
A common medicine used is diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), which is "painted" on
the scalp once a week at increasing strengths. The DPCP irritates the skin,
making it itchy and scaly. This treatment is not widely
available.
- Psoralen with ultraviolet A light (PUVA) therapy. For
PUVA, a medicine called a psoralen is used to make the skin more sensitive to
ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Then the skin is exposed to UVA light.
What to think about
If you are taking medicine for
inherited hair loss, do not expect to regrow a full head of hair. Hair coverage
is improved on the top of the head, but not on the forehead area. But when you
stop taking these medicines, hair loss begins again.
Finasteride has not been proved effective in women and
is not approved for women by the FDA.2 Women who are
or may become pregnant should not take or handle crushed or broken tablets,
because finasteride can cause birth defects.
Surgery
Surgery to cover bald areas of the scalp may
be used to treat
hair loss. If successful, surgery may be a permanent
treatment for hair loss.
Surgery choices
The most common types of surgery to treat hair loss
include:
- Hair transplant surgery. During this surgery, your doctor will move small grafts (pieces
of skin with hair follicles) from areas of your scalp with full hair to areas
of your scalp that are bald or thinning. The grafts may include single hairs or
up to 30 hairs in one graft. This is the most common type of surgery used to
treat hair loss.
- Scalp reduction. Scalp reduction involves removing
large areas of bald scalp from the head. Sections of the scalp with growing
hair are then stretched and sewn together to fill in the bald
areas.
- Scalp flaps. Scalp flaps involve moving a large section of
scalp containing hair from the side and back of the scalp to a bald area. One
side of the flap remains attached to the scalp as the section of scalp with
hair is moved to cover a bald area. The complication rate of this procedure is
higher than other procedures because of bleeding, scarring, and infection after
surgery.
What to think about
Surgery may be a more permanent
solution than medicines to treat hair loss, but it is expensive, it involves
surgical risks, and there is a chance that not all hair follicles will remain
healthy.
Other Treatment
Other treatment for
hair loss includes:
- Wearing hairpieces. Hairpieces are made from
human or synthetic hair that is implanted into a nylon netting. Hairpieces may
be attached to the scalp with glue, metal clips, or tape. But hair weaving, which involves
sewing or braiding pieces of long hair into existing hair, is not recommended because it may cause permanent hair loss.
- Hair
care products and styling techniques. Hair care products or perms may make hair
appear thicker. Dyes may be used to color the scalp.
- Behavior
modification, if hair loss is caused by compulsive pulling of your hair (trichotillomania).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers
that other than FDA-approved minoxidil (Rogaine), there are no over-the-counter
creams, lotions, or other products that can help new hair to grow or cause
hair to become thicker. Also, shampoos that claim to promote hair growth by
unclogging follicles have not been proved to work. But there are some products
that may make hair appear thicker and others that may cover bald spots.
Limited research on the dietary supplements
saw palmetto and
beta-sitosterol shows they may help men with inherited
hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) regrow hair.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| American Academy of Dermatology |
| P.O. Box 4014 |
| Schaumburg, IL 60168 |
| Phone: |
1-866-503-SKIN (1-866-503-7546) toll-free
(847) 240-1280 |
| Fax: |
(847) 240-1859 |
| Web Address: |
www.aad.org |
| |
|
The American Academy of Dermatology provides information
about the care of skin, hair, and nails. You can locate a dermatologist in your
area by using their "Find a Dermatologist" tool at www.aad.org/find-a-derm.
|
|
| KidsHealth for Parents, Children, and
Teens |
| 10140 Centurion Parkway North |
| Jacksonville, FL 32256 |
| Phone: |
(904) 697-4100 |
| Fax: |
(904) 697-4220 |
| Web Address: |
www.kidshealth.org |
| |
|
This website is sponsored by the Nemours Foundation. It
has a wide range of information about children's health, from allergies and
diseases to normal growth and development (birth to adolescence). This website
offers separate areas for kids, teens, and parents, each providing
age-appropriate information that the child or parent can understand. You can
sign up to get weekly emails about your area of interest.
|
|
| National Alopecia Areata Foundation |
| 14 Mitchell Boulevard |
| San Rafael, CA 94903 |
| Phone: |
(415) 472-3780 |
| Fax: |
(415) 472-5343 |
| Email: |
info@naaf.org |
| Web Address: |
www.naaf.org |
| |
|
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) funds
research and research workshops that promote knowledge about alopecia areata,
its causes, and treatments. The NAAF provides local support and education for
people who have alopecia areata and for their families and also acts as an
advocate for people who have alopecia areata.
|
|
| National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(NIAID), National Institutes of Health |
| NIAID Office of Communications and Government Relations |
| 6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612 |
| Bethesda, MD 20892-6612 |
| Phone: |
1-866-284-4107 toll-free |
| Phone: |
(301) 496-5717 |
| Fax: |
(301) 402-3573 |
| TDD: |
1-800-877-8339 |
| Web Address: |
www.niaid.nih.gov |
| |
|
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases conducts research and provides consumer information on infectious and
immune-system-related diseases.
|
|
References
Citations
- Whiting DA (2006). Disorders of hair. In DC Dale,
DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 2, chap. 13.
New York: WebMD.
- Springer K, et al. (2003). Common hair loss disorder.
American Family Physician, 68(1): 93–102.
- MacDonald Hull SP, et al. (2003). Guidelines for the
management of alopecia areata. British Journal of Dermatology, 149: 692–699.
- Habif TB, et al. (2005). Hair and nail
diseases. In Skin Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment, 2nd
ed., pp. 516–541. Philadelphia: Elsevier Mosby.
Other Works Consulted
- Hague J, Berth-Jones J (2010). Alopecia areata. In MG Lebwohl et al., eds., Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies, 3rd ed., pp. 31–35. Edinburgh: Saunders Elsevier.
- Unger WP, et al. (2010). Androgenetic alopecia. In MG Lebwohl et al., eds., Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies, 3rd ed., pp. 36–38. Edinburgh: Saunders Elsevier.
- Wolff K, Johnson RA (2009). Disorders of hair follicles and related disorders. In Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, 6th ed., pp. 962–986. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Credits
| By |
Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer |
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer |
Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
| Last Revised |
June 4, 2010 |
