What Causes Hair Loss?

Children often harbor fears of the unknown, things that go bump in the night, monsters in the closet. That apprehension typically dissipates by adulthood but then another phobia frequently takes its place: panic over hair loss. Since male hair loss is more common, they suffer most, often wearing hats indoors and out, year round to hide their thinning locks. Regardless of your gender, you’re likely curious as to why your hair is falling out.

The Most Common Myth

Almost as widespread as family political discussions are debates about whose genes are responsible for male pattern baldness (MPB), moms or dads. For decades, the legend has persisted about this most common reason for hair loss that the mother is the culprit.  

While sons are more likely to inherit this genetic propensity from their mother’s female chromosome (aka X), there’s always the possibility that it comes from the father’s genetic makeup or even both parents genealogy. As with many effects of chromosomal mixtures, there is no way to pinpoint where the hair loss gene comes from. In fact, it often totally passes over a generation or randomly affects family members in the same age group.

Also noteworthy is that women are affected by hereditary female pattern baldness (FPB). Their hair loss is generally on the top and sides of the head, often concentrated where the hair naturally parts or is styled with a part.

There is an array of prescription drugs that effectively reduce hair loss for both men and women. Specially formulated shampoos and conditioners also help many people control the loss.

Other Common Causes

If all your relatives have thick hair and you start losing yours, there are a number of other reasons that frequently cause hair loss.

• Medicine and OTC Supplements. Everyone reacts differently to prescription drugs as well as supplements such as calcium, B Complex, vitamins, etc. and hair loss is often a side effect. Ask your physician about medications you’re taking to combat depression, control blood pressure, manage arthritic pain, keep heart problems in check, reduce gout symptoms, or treat heart problems.

• Life-changing Events. Your body reacts to trauma and stress in a myriad of ways and hair loss is among them. If you’ve experienced a physical shock through injury or disease or gone through a disturbing emotional event, your life may be further complicated by a few months of hair loss. The good news is the falling follicles are only temporary.

• Hormones and Health Situations. When hormones fluctuate, people expect side effects such as aberrant behavior. However, thyroid trouble, giving birth, becoming pregnant, or the onset of menopause can also interfere with normal hormone production and also cause you to temporary lose your hair. Medical circumstances including scalp infections (ringworm is most common), erratic hair loss due to alopecia and trichotillomania, a condition that brings on compulsive pulling of the hair can also disrupt normal hair growth. 

• Hairdos and Hair Products. Hair is more delicate than it appears and rarely receives the pampering skin enjoys. To keep it healthy and firmly attached to your scalp, don’t mistreat it with tight styles like cornrows, braids, tight buns and ponytails. Any style that strains your scalp can trigger a hair loss malady called traction alopecia. Avoid excessive hot oil hair and scalp treatments and stay away from harsh permanents that often make your hair fall out from inflamed hair follicles. Use quality products that gently clean and revitalize.

• Cranial Radiation Therapy. Hair loss is a common side effect of radiation therapy to any part of the head. While your hair will probably grow back, it may be a different color and be straight instead of curly or vice versa.

Hair loss can be distressing. Knowing the cause of it ensures you can manage it using the best possible methods.