In the case of diffuse hair loss, the hair thins out evenly all over the head, not just in certain areas. This is usually a temporary phenomenon. Once the cause is identified and eliminated, the hair will grow back.
Diffuse hair loss affects more women than men. Reasons can be hormone fluctuations or thyroid diseases, but iron deficiency, infections and stress are also possible causes. There are also medications that can cause hair loss as a side effect.
Diffuse Hair Loss Causes And Risk Factors
There are many causes of diffuse hair loss. They range from certain diseases that can go hand in hand with hair loss, to psychological stress such as stress, to hormonal changes and poisoning.
The main causes are:
- Side effects of drugs such as blood thinners (heparin), high blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors), cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers and cytostatics as part of chemotherapy
- Disturbed thyroid function
- Iron deficiency
- Stress and exhaustion
- Deficiency symptoms caused by diet or fasting cures
- Deficiency symptoms caused by disturbances in the utilization of food
- Scalp diseases such as psoriasis
- Infections and rheumatic diseases
- Hormonal changes (stopping the pill, pregnancy, menopause)
- Increased radiation exposure during radiation therapy or a radiation accident
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Gluten intolerance associated with iron deficiency
Risk factors
Risk factors for diffuse hair loss include treatments such as chemotherapy or medications that cause hair loss as a side effect.
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| Diffuse hair loss |
Diffuse Hair Loss Symptoms
Are you losing hair all over your head?
Does it make your scalp shine through?
Normally, each person loses about 100 hairs a day. Hair loss can only be assumed if this level is exceeded and more hair falls out than grows back. In diffuse hair loss, the hair thins out evenly over the head - in contrast to hereditary hair loss with its receding hairline or circular hair loss. Although diffuse hair loss can lead to a sparse head of hair, complete baldness is rare.
Diffuse hair loss is not actually a clinical picture, but can be a symptom among various other ailments. Diffuse hair loss often occurs as a result of a deficiency or medication. Doctors differentiate between two forms of diffuse hair loss, depending on which phase of the hair cycle is disturbed.
Every hair root goes through a cycle of growth (anagen phase), transition phase (catagen phase) and resting phase with subsequent hair loss (telogen phase). If hair loss occurs a few days after the damaging event or illness, the hair falls out directly in the growth phase. If the first two phases are shortened and more hair follicles reach the telogen phase than usual, the hair will only fall out after a few months.
Diffuse Hair Loss Treatment
In order to be able to treat diffuse hair loss successfully, the dermatologist must clarify possible causes. In the conversation, he asks how long the hair has been falling out, whether the hair loss is concentrated in certain areas of the head or whether the hair is falling out evenly everywhere. In addition, he/she will want to know whether the person concerned suffers from other complaints. During a physical examination, he will examine the hair and scalp in detail. Using the plucking test (pull test, epilation test), he can determine whether and how easily the hair detaches from the scalp. In addition, the dermatologist can look at the hair under the microscope (trichogram) and determine how it is made.
Among other things, laboratory values provide information on whether thyroid hormones and iron levels are in order and what the concentrations of sex hormones look like.
- Medications: If the diffuse hair loss is the side effect of a specific medication, the doctor may prescribe a different preparation. But be careful: Anyone who is dependent on taking certain active ingredients - in the case of chronic illnesses, for example - should not stop taking these medications without consulting their doctor.
- Deficiencies: If the hair falls out because the body lacks certain nutrients such as iron, these can be compensated for with iron supplements, for example. At the same time, it is advisable to find out what caused the deficiency.
- Thyroid diseases: If diffuse hair loss is caused by a thyroid disorder, it is advisable to have it examined and treated by a specialist.
- Diets: If a special diet is the cause of hair loss, returning to a balanced and nutritious diet will help.
Once the causes have been eliminated, the hair grows back in the coming months in the case of diffuse hair loss. If those affected are suffering severely from the hair loss and their emotional distress is great, it may seem sensible to the doctor to support hair growth with agents such as Minoxidil (2% solution for application to the scalp).
There is no evidence to what extent it is effective to stimulate hair growth with dietary supplements (e.g. zinc or alternative medicine such as Schuessler salts). In most cases, these remedies do no harm.
Prevention
With a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet, diffuse hair loss can be prevented to a certain extent. Anyone who tends towards increased hair loss due to stress and exhaustion can use relaxation techniques and regular exercise to ensure more balance in everyday life.