The Most Common Hair Loss Signs and Symptoms

symptoms of hair loss

Hair loss signs and symptoms usually begin gradually for most people, however, in some cases, they may occur suddenly.

The average person has about 100,000 hairs on their head, except for natural blondes who have slightly more, and natural redheads who have slightly less. Hair loss signs and symptoms may be more noticeable in some women than others due to the ability to fix or brush the hair into more flattering styles that frame the face and disguise the loss.

Understanding signs of hair loss

Hair shafts are actually comprised of three different layers; the cuticle, or the outermost layer that we see, the cortex, or the middle portion, which is what gives hair shafts their strength as well as their color and texture, and finally, the medulla, or the innermost layer where the body and strength of the overall hair are both created.

Symptoms hair loss in Women

Female-pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, causes women's hair to thin at the front and sides, or on the crown, or top, of the head. Most all women will not lose their hair at the very front of the head, or recede, the way that a man's does, nor will they ever have complete baldness.

Hair Loss Signs and Symptoms in Men

Male-pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia, causes the hair to fall out on the very top of the head, as well as recede further back around the temples and forehead. Premature male-pattern baldness may occur as early as the late teenage years, or more often during the 20s, and either complete or partial baldness will eventually result from androgenetic alopecia in men.

Recognizing Common Signs of Thinning Hair

Some other hair loss symptom that are caused by rare medical conditions like cicatricial, which means "scarring," alopecia include inflammation, itching, or in some cases, even pain or discomfort. This particular form of hair loss also causes the hair to fall out permanently.

There are also several different conditions that cause temporary hair loss, including alopecia areata, which is characterized by small, round patches of bare spots, and telogen effluvium, a condition that occurs rather suddenly and causes the hair to thin rather than actually fall out. Traction alopecia signs of hair loss are marked by bald patches that result from wearing certain hairstyles on a regular basis. Wearing the hair in tight braids or ponytails, or even using hot rollers and rolling the hair too tightly frequently may cause the hair to fall out in certain spots where it is pulled up from the scalp.

By understanding and recognizing early hair loss signs and symptoms, it's far easier to deal with the condition by seeking treatment if the problem ever becomes a concern. Hair loss signs and symptoms in both younger men and women who suffer from premature pattern baldness tend to be more emotionally affected as opposed to older people, however, anyone who is concerned by hair loss should consult with their doctor and learn of the different treatment options available to them.

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