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The Major Causes Of Hair Loss

On the whole, people do not look forward to any significant hair loss on their heads.  As a general rule, a sudden loss of hair (clumps or handfuls falling away) is a big sign from your body that something is wrong.  When your body is very ill, it will concentrate its energies on fighting the infection and not spend any energy on hair growth.  But illness is not the only cause of hair loss.

Androgenetic Alopecia

This is where your genes dictate when you go bald – in men and in women.  It is thought that your maternal grandfather is the one who gives you this gene (although scientists are not 100% sure he is the one to blame).  The bad news is that once you are bald, you are bald.  The good news is that this hair loss is normal and does not indicate that your body is fighting a major illness.

Scarring Alopecia

"Alopecia" is the medical term for hair loss, in case you didn't know.  While androgenetic alopecia is determined by your genes and is normal, scarring alopecia is indication of an illness that causes inflammation.  Unfortunately, it is not known why some skin conditions trigger this inflammation.  In it, your hair follicles become so inflamed that they can no longer maintain hair. 

Alopecia Areata

This cause of hair loss has been classified as an autoimmune disease by the medical community.  However, there's no need to panic, although you certainly should be under a doctor's care.  Because so little is known about alopecia areata, it's very hard to prevent.  It is thought that it runs in families.  Your hair falls out for no real known reason.  The stereotypical example is undergoing an emotional trauma and then losing your hair.  The good news is that in a few months, your hair usually grows back.

Traction Alopecia

This cause of hair loss is seen all too frequently and can be prevented.  The patient has had so many things done to his or her hair – styling, hair colorings, relaxants, permanents – that the hair just can't take being pulled and pushed around and just dies.  Many people who had big hair or mullet styles in the 1980's are mostly bald today.

Please do not use this article in the place of a qualified doctor's diagnosis.  Whenever you experience a strange change in your body, please go call your doctor as soon as possible.  Some causes of hair loss, like malnutrition or trying a new medicine, can be cured.