There are many other reasons for hair loss. Here is a basic overview of some of the more common causes.
Trichotillomania (Compulsive hair pulling)
Hair loss due to trichotillomania is typically patchy, as compulsive hair pullers tend to concentrate the pulling in selected areas. Hair loss due to this cause cannot be treated effectively until the psychological or emotional reasons for trichotillomania are effectively addressed.
Alopecia Areata
Possibly an autoimmune disorder, this condition causes patchy hair loss ranging from diffuse thinning to extensive areas of baldness with "islands" of retained hair. A medical examination is necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
Triangular Alopecia
Loss of hair in the temporal areas, sometimes beginning in childhood. Hair loss may be complete, or a few fine hairs may remain. The cause of triangular alopecia is not known, but the condition can be treated either pharmaceutically or surgically.
Scarring Alopecia
Hair loss due to scarring of the scalp area, scarring alopecia typically involves the top of the scalp and occurs predominantly in women.
This condition frequently occurs in women of African descent and is believed to be associated with the persistent tight braiding or "corn-rowing" of scalp hair.
A form of scarring alopecia also may occur in post-menopausal women, associated with inflammation of hair follicles and subsequent scarring.
Telogen Effluvium
A common type of hair loss caused when an abnormally large percentage of scalp hairs enter the "shedding" phase at the same time. Telogen effluvium may be caused by hormonal, nutritional, pharmaceutical, or stress factors.
Loose-Anagen Syndrome
A condition occurring primarily in fair-haired persons, scalp hair sits loosely in hair follicles and is easily extracted by combing or pulling. The condition may appear in childhood and may improve as the individual ages.
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