Luxurious hair is an adornment not only for women, but also for men. Therefore, many people, faced with the problem of hair thinning, begin to panic. To solve the problem, you need to understand what causes this condition. There are many reasons why hair falls out. What to do and how to treat this condition will be discussed in detail below.
Symptoms of a Problem
Hair loss is a natural process that occurs daily. So the body is updated, which is quite normal. On average, 50-100 hairs fall out per day in a healthy person. However, in some cases, this process takes on disastrous proportions. In this case, the person notices that his hair begins to fall out very much. What to do in such a situation?
First of all, you need to understand what changes in the body led to such a nuisance. Perhaps the reason is the development of certain diseases. There are also external factors that can affect this process. It is also necessary to understand whether such hair loss is normal or is it a pathology. A simple test is done for this.
First, you do not need to wash your hair for two or even three days. After this, take a sheet of white paper. Head tilted forward, combing hair from the back of the head to the forehead. Next, you need to pull the strands with medium effort. During this procedure, several hairs will remain in the hands. They are put on paper. Next, the procedure is repeated, but in a different part of the head. This action must be performed about 3 times.
Next, you need to calculate the amount of hair that was left on paper. Normally, this indicator should be no more than 15 pieces. Does hair fall out very much? What to do? The answer may be given by a trichologist.
Structural features
Before you consider why hair falls out, reviews about doctors and what to do in a similar situation, you need to understand the features of the scalp. This is a special system that works as a single cohesive mechanism. If something goes wrong in one system, this manifests itself in different problems.
Hair is an appendage of the scalp. It does not have nerves, muscles, or blood vessels. However, he is a living substance. Its part, which is located above the surface of the skin, is called the core. The entire section of hair that is hidden in the epithelium is called the root. There is an onion at its end. From it comes the growth of the rod. The hair papilla enters the bulb. It has blood vessels that feed the root. Around the bulb there is another shell. This is a hair bag. It is called the follicle. The ducts that come from the sebaceous glands open into it.
The core includes 3 layers. The internal component of the hair is the medulla. This is the brain substance of the rod. It provides hair with a property such as thermal conductivity. The second layer is located above the medulla. It is called cortex. It accounts for 80% of the hair. It consists of interwoven keratin fibers. The cortex contains pigments that give color to curls.
The surface outer layer is the cuticle. It consists of keratin plates. This layer protects the inner layers from adverse external influences. If the cuticle is not damaged, the hair appears shiny and resilient.
There are many explanations for why hair began to fall out. What to do in this case, the expert will be able to advise after examining and conducting the necessary analyzes.
Causes of Alopecia in Women
Quite often, women lose their hair. What to do in this case? First you need to find the cause of alopecia (baldness). Most often it is caused by hormonal failure. If diseases of the endocrine system are observed, this can be manifested by profuse hair loss. This situation can occur during pregnancy and lactation, with menopause or abortion. Taking birth control pills can also cause this kind of nuisance.
If the amount of estrogen (female hormone) drops or the androgen (male hormone) rises, hair loss may begin. However, not only hormonal changes and malfunctions can cause a similar phenomenon. The cause may be malnutrition. Frequent diets deplete the body’s resources. As a result, the nutrition of the bulbs and follicles is disrupted. Because of this, they die off, passing into a period of hibernation. They will wake up when the nutrition for their development will be sufficient.
There are also a number of other reasons why women have hair loss. What to do in each specific situation, only a specialist can say. It will be necessary to eliminate the root cause that affected the intense hair loss.
External factors also affect the health of curls. Stress, poor ecology can affect the appearance of the hairstyle. Do not discard hereditary factors.
Causes of baldness in men
Much more often you can observe a situation when a man's hair falls out. What to do in this case? Quite natural causes lead to similar consequences. One of them is the genetic factor and heredity. In this case, if in the man’s family many representatives of the stronger sex suffered from baldness, this is very likely to happen to him.
Hormones of the human body to a large extent affect the processes of hair growth. If estrogen prevails in women, the hair structure strengthens. They become more elastic, more beautiful. Androgens, on the contrary, weaken the hair. This is a natural process for the male body. With an increase in the level of this hormone, baldness is inevitable. Baldness starts at the back of the head or in the forehead. Many in this case are looking for the answer to the question: "What to do?" Hair loss after 40 years for natural physiological reasons. Therefore, it is better to reconsider your approach to choosing a hairstyle.
However, it is considered a pathology if intense hair loss is observed in men at a fairly young age. This indicates serious hormonal disorders. You will need to undergo an examination. It is also considered unnatural if the hair falls out on the back of the head or temples. In these places, the effect of androgen is absent. If intense hair loss begins to be observed in this area, an examination is necessary. This may be due to serious abnormalities in the body.
Also, the process of hair loss is reinforced by bad habits, alcoholism. Constant stress, malnutrition, which does not allow saturating the body with useful substances, also leads to baldness. External influences must be minimized in order to maintain a fluffy hairstyle.
Causes of baldness in children
Some parents ask why a child has hair loss. What to do in this case? This is a common situation that needs to be addressed in a timely manner. In children, intensive hair loss can be prevented and hair can be restored completely. However, you need to quickly make the correct diagnosis and undergo treatment.
One of the reasons why an area without hair has formed on the baby’s head may be ringworm. This is one of the most common causes of this phenomenon. This is a fungal infection. It affects both the follicles and the rods. In this case, a small or vast area on which the hair is absent forms on the head.
Also, alopecia areata can be observed in children. In this case, a round or oval zone without hair also appears on the head. The rods in this case remain healthy. There are no signs of peeling on the skin (as in depriving). Proper treatment is required.
Hair loss can be caused by mechanical or thermal stresses on the hair. Prolonged exposure to the sun in the sun without a headgear can lead to destruction of the hair structure. In this case, they break, fall out without a root. It can also cause hair loss frequent weaving of tight braids or spikelets, tying bundles. Hair should be given rest, massage the head before bedtime.
Other reasons
What to do if hair falls out on the head? It is necessary to reduce the influence of adverse factors. There are a number of other reasons that can cause hairstyle thinning. These factors may include profuse blood loss, acute infections. Also, in some cases, severe hair loss after prolonged high temperature is observed. Surgery or serious injury can also cause hair loss.
In all these cases, the body spends energy on recovery and recovery. Therefore, all resources go to fulfill these vital goals. The nutrition of hair follicles decreases sharply, which leads to hair loss. A balanced diet, the addition of the necessary vitamins and minerals to food helps the body recover faster. In this case, the process of hair loss will stop immediately.
What is the answer to the question: "Hair loss: what to do?". Reviews of trichologists say that such an unpleasant phenomenon can cause prolonged use of certain drugs, a chronic lack of iron and zinc.
There are a number of diseases that affect the condition of the hair. These are chronic hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, cancer and hyperthyroidism.
In some cases, the cause of brittleness and hair loss is improper care. Frequent curls, the use of a hot hair dryer, styling, staining lead to the destruction of the structure of the rods. Also, unsuitable shampoos, styling products can lead to such a nuisance. You need to reconsider your approach to care for curls.
A course of treatment
First of all, you need to contact a trichologist if the hair breaks and falls out. What to do will help solve the results of tests and examinations. To do this, you need to make a trichogram. Using special equipment, a specialist will consider the structure of the rods and roots. He will also be able to assess the degree of hair loss.
After this, a biochemical blood test will be required. This will allow you to assess the amount of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates in the body, as well as the features of their metabolism. A blood test is also performed to determine the mineral, vitamin and amino acid status. Another analysis of the hair is carried out to determine their composition.
Only after carrying out the above procedures, the doctor will be able to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. In some cases, it is enough to eliminate the negative factors that affect the body, as well as improve nutrition. After that, the strands begin to recover on their own.
However, complex treatment is often required. It includes taking special medications, such as Proscar. For topical application, creams and balms are used. They are made on the basis of minoxidil. Also, onions that are in a dormant state are exposed to a laser. This procedure can be carried out both at home and in the clinic.
In combination with the listed therapeutic agents, head massage is used, special shampoos, masks, balms are used. Alternative recipes can also be used in addition to the main treatment.
Medicines
There are a number of medications and methods that are used when hair falls out. What to do and how to take them, the attending physician will answer. Medicines are prescribed to eliminate the underlying cause of alopecia. If a hormonal malfunction occurs, treatment will be aimed at suppressing it. If there are other chronic diseases, you need to throw all your strength into the treatment of such ailments.
Often, patients with such problems are prescribed special mineral complexes. They should contain minerals (iron, zinc) and vitamins (A, PP, B, E) necessary for hair growth and strengthening. Special medical balms and ointments are also prescribed. In tablets, drugs such as Selencin, Pantovigar, Revalid, and the like can be prescribed. They include special vitamin and mineral complexes aimed specifically at stimulating hair growth and restoration.
Other measures to prevent alopecia
There are various reasons why hair falls out. What to do in each case, only experts can answer. Physiotherapeutic techniques are more effective than shampoos, balms and creams. They allow you to act on the follicles, restoring their natural functioning. Mesotherapy may also be used. In some cases, the only possible solution is an artificial hair transplant.
Home recipes
In combination with the main treatment, alternative recipes can also be used. They are often used if the hair falls out badly. What to do at home? The doctor will also be able to answer this question, since it will be necessary to choose the right prescription.
One of the most common ways to combat baldness is a mask based on burdock oil. It can be purchased at the pharmacy. If desired, tincture on the root of the burdock can be prepared independently. The material must be prepared in the fall, at this time the root is rich in substances necessary for nourishing the hair. It is poured with water and heated in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then the product must be cooled and left for a day in a dark, cool place. After that, rinse the scalp with the obtained balm, making massaging movements.
Also, hair wraps are made from burdock oil. You need to rub the product into the roots, then tie it with a cotton cloth and put a woolen scarf or hat on your head. After 20-30 minutes, you need to thoroughly rinse your hair with shampoo and apply balm on the strands. The procedure is carried out 1-2 times a week.
You can wash your hair with water infused with orange peels. To do this, you need to peel one fruit. Its peel is insisted in warm water for 3 hours. Then they wash their hair with this liquid.
Having considered the main reasons why hair falls out and what to do in a similar situation, you can take measures to eliminate such a nuisance. The correct diagnosis and timely treatment significantly increase the chances of success.