Hair loss, also known as Alopecia, is common for men and women. According to an American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) research, humans lose around 50 to 100 hairs daily. The hair shedding is not always noticeable, as new hair often replaces it, but this is not always the case. Based on the underlying causes, you could experience permanent or temporary hair loss.
If you suddenly notice vast chunks of hair on your combs, pillow, or shower drain, you are losing hair, so speak to your doctor to evaluate the cause and get appropriate treatment. Read on for four reasons you could be experiencing sudden hair loss.
1. Childbirth
Some women often notice baldness patches or thinning of hair a few months after childbirth. This is caused by the decrease in estrogen levels during pregnancy and childbirth. This excessive hair loss is usually temporary, and the hair often grows back as the rest of the body recovers. To help your hair return to its primary condition sooner after childbirth, you should:
• Invest in hair products made for fine hair.
• Use a volumizing conditioner and shampoo.
• Avoid conditioning shampoos and intensive conditioners as they are too strong for fine hair.
• Avoid applying conditioner on the scalp. Instead, use it to your hair’s ends to prevent weighing down your hair.
2. Heredity or family history
Are you looking for the answer to the question: can hair loss be genetic? Androgenetic alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss. It is a condition that refers to the female and male patterns of baldness, and yes, it is hereditary. According to a National Center for Biotechnology Information study, genetics account for 80% of hair loss for a person whose both sides of the family have a hair loss tendency.
Men experience androgenetic alopecia by losing hair from their head’s crown and temple while the women’s hair thins all over the head. The male and female patterns of baldness occur as one ages and often start at puberty. Most women experience the condition after menopause. Androgenetic alopecia can be treated using minoxidil, a remedy for hair growth.
3. Medications
Certain drugs have side effects that could make your hair fall out. Oral contraceptives, calcium and beta-blockers, antidepressants such as Zoloft and Prozac, and blood-thinning drugs like warfarin can cause baldness or thinness of hair.
Some chemotherapy medications also lead to total hair loss as they destroy cancer cells. Hair loss caused by side effects of certain drugs should not be a cause of alarm as your hair will grow back once you stop using the drugs.
However, you could consider speaking to your physician for an assessment if you establish that the sudden hair loss is due to the medicines you are taking. Your doctor could prescribe an alternative medication or reduce the dosage.
4. Excessive hair care
As you strive to create stylish hairdos, you could pull the hair too tight, resulting in significant damage and breakage of strands, which could lead to thinning hair and hair loss. Some hairstyles like cornrows and pigtails lead to a hair loss type known as traction alopecia.
Using hot-oil treatments, blow-drying, or shampooing your hair too frequently can also cause your hair to fall out. Hair loss due to extreme hair care is often temporary; however, alopecia could be permanent if scarring occurs.
Endnote
If you notice that you are losing more hair than usual, it could be due to extreme hair care, childbirth for women, medication, or heredity, to mention a few. Visit your doctor for proper diagnosis and advice on the best treatment.