Hair Loss Symptoms
Losing hair is generally an experience met with distress. When hair loss occurs, the symptoms are usually obvious, as a person notices a loss of hair from the head, eyebrows, and other parts of the body. What differs from person to person is the amount of hair loss and the pattern that is associated with different types of hair loss.
Hair loss is not experienced identically between each person. Symptoms differ in every case, depending whether hair loss is a receding hairline or overall thinning. However, what are the typical symptoms seen in different types of hair loss?
Pattern Baldness
Androgenetic Alopecia is what is commonly known as genetic male pattern hair loss, or male pattern baldness. Though men generally experience pattern baldness, some women also are prone to this type of hair loss.
Pattern baldness is first noticed when the hairline begins to thin, turning into a receding hairline. Pattern baldness generally continues as a receding hairline reaches the top of the head, exposing a horseshoe shaped pattern.
This symptomatic process is generally the same in men who experience genetic pattern baldness, though the pattern of recession may be different in each individual. Some men may notice a loss of hair beginning at the crown or top of the head first, then spreading outward.
Thinning
Thinning of the hair differs from pattern baldness, as the scalp tends to lose more hair evenly throughout the scalp. In all humans, the hair growth process for each hair follicle follows a 2 to 6 year cycle, ending with a resting period of about 3 months. After the resting period, the hair simply falls out of the follicle and a new hair begins another cycle. Normally about 10% of our hair is in a resting state at any given time.
When hair noticably thins throughout the scalp, it generally means that the hair follicles stop growing at a a faster rate than normal and start falling out in greater numbers. Thinning of the hair could be due to a number of causes, but mostly are known to be caused by poor diet lacking in protien and iron, certain medications such as chemotherapy, major stress, illness, or a hormonal imbalance.
Clumping
In some cases of hair loss, a person may notice that his or her hair falls out in clumps, or leaves patches of hair and bald spots throughout the scalp. Patchy hair loss is generally is related to disease or auto-immune symptoms, as well as certain medications.
Since the symptoms of hair loss differ from person to person and from various causes, it is best for each individual to assess the type of hair loss experienced, then consider the possible cause. A physician can also help assess and determine causes of hair loss and whether treatment may be available.
