Baldness

Definition

Your hair loss may have started with a few extra hairs in the sink. But now you can't look in the mirror without seeing more of your scalp. Baldness is typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp and can be the result of heredity, certain medications or an underlying medical condition.

Some people prefer to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves.

Baldness can be classified into various types, depending on the cause. Several of the many different types of baldness include the following:

• Scarring alopecia:- Scarred areas may prevent the hair from growing back. Scarring may occur from burns, injury, or x-ray therapy. However, other types of scarring that may cause hair loss can be caused by diseases such as lupus, bacterial or fungal skin infections, lichen planus, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or skin cancer.
• Trichotillomania:- Hair pulling, a habit most common among children, may cause hair loss.
• Male-pattern baldness:- Male-pattern baldness usually is a hereditary condition. The condition may begin at any age. Hair loss often begins on the front, sides, and/or on the crown of the head.
• Female-pattern baldness:- Although less common, female-pattern baldness differs from that of male-pattern baldness in that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained.
• Alopecia areata:- This hair loss disorder is characterized by sudden loss of hair in one particular area, which grows back after several months. However, if all body hair is suddenly lost, regrowth may not occur.
• Toxic alopecia:- Toxic alopecia may occur following a high fever or severe illness. Certain medications, especially thallium, high doses of vitamin A, and retinoids, may cause toxic alopecia. Medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, and after giving birth may also trigger toxic alopecia. The condition is characterized by temporary hair loss. Also, some cancer medications can cause hair loss.

Causes of Baldness

Hair loss is believed to be primarily caused by a combination of the following:

• illness
• family history of baldness
• aging
• change in hormones
• burns
• trauma

However, hair loss is not caused by the following:

• poor circulation to the scalp
• vitamin deficiencies
• dandruff
• excessive hat-wearing
• a gene passed on from an individual's maternal grandfather

Generally, the earlier hair loss begins, the more severe the baldness will become.

Symptoms of Baldness  

The typical pattern of male baldness begins at the hairline. The hairline gradually recedes to form an "M" shape. The existing hair may become finer and shorter. The hair at the crown also begins to thin. Eventually the top of the hairline meets the thinned crown, leaving a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head.

Hair loss in patches, diffuse shedding of hair, breaking of hair shafts, or hair loss associated with redness, scaling, pain, or rapid progression could be caused by other conditions.

Treatment of Baldness

Treatment of Baldness such as includes:-

• Uour tolerance for specific medications, procedures, and therapies
• Expectation for the course of the disease
• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• Extent of the condition

Some types of baldness will disappear on their own. Treatment may include

• Treating any underlying condition or disease
• Hair transplants
• Skin lifts and grafts
• Certain medications to promote hair growth
• Corticosteroid injections
• Scalp reduction