What Actually Causes Hair Loss?

November 23, 2022November 23, 2022 Shailendra Kumar

Losing more than 100 hairs per day can be a sign of hair damage. If the amount of hair lost is more than is growing, of course you are at risk of experiencing baldness problems.

Why does hair often fall out? There are many reasons for hair loss, from fungal infections of the scalp, trauma, medications, to hormonal problems. The following are various causes of excessive hair loss according to experts.

1. Descendants

One of the causes of severe hair loss is heredity. The gene for hair loss from the parents will be passed on to the child. So, you also run the risk of experiencing the same thing.

Women who experience genetic loss (androgenetic alopecia) are usually characterized by thinning of the hairline. Meanwhile, hair loss in men can trigger baldness.

Genetic factors make each new hair will have a finer and thinner texture. This happens because the hair follicles shrink and stop growing over time.

2. Folliculitis

The presence of disease on the scalp causes inflammation which will trigger hair loss.

One of the diseases of the scalp is folliculitis or inflammation of the follicles or pores due to infection with the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria or pseudomonal fungus.

This condition is usually characterized by itching and burning, blistering of the scalp, and the presence of pimples on the scalp.

If not treated immediately, the scalp will experience prolonged inflammation and cause scars and hair loss, even baldness.

3. Tinea capitis

If your scalp is scaly and patchy, chances are you have a scalp disorder called tinea capitis.

This disease is caused by Microsporum and Trichophyton fungal infections which can cause red bumps and black spots on the scalp.

The lump causes inflammation on the scalp. This inflammation causes scarring on the scalp so that hair falls out.

4. Scalp psoriasis

Psoriasis does not only occur on the scalp, but also on the forehead, back of the neck and head, to behind the ears.

One of the early symptoms of scalp psoriasis is hair loss and itchy skin that bleeds.

Not only that, this one cause of hair loss also makes the scalp dry and thicken which of course can damage healthy hair.

In addition, this itch makes you scratch your scalp frequently. As a result, strands of hair also experience traction and fall out.

5. Hair styling

Although not the main cause, the wrong way to care for hair can also be a cause of severe hair loss. Frequent styling of hair with a flat iron or hair dryer can make hair fall out. Temperatures that are too hot can strip the hair of its natural moisture.

As a result, hair is damaged, branched, and dry. In fact, the use of both tools is also inhibiting. In order to stop hair loss, you should pay attention to it carefully.

6. Hypothyroidism

One of the thyroid hormone problems that causes excessive hair loss is hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland does not produce metabolic hormones, as well as body growth and development.

When thyroid hormone production is disrupted, this process also inhibits the development of hair roots. Hair will fall out and not be replaced with new strands.

Hair loss due to hypothyroidism tends to be patchy, rather than concentrated and cause pattern baldness.

7. Malnutrition

In addition to disturbing the body’s health, lack of nutritional intake turns out to be a cause of hair loss.

For example, protein deficiency can actually affect hair health. Protein is the body’s main building material, including hair cells. If protein intake is too low, the hair structure is weakened and hair growth slows down.

Not only protein, iron deficiency can also make hair break easily and thin.

Nutrients for hair growth

Proteins.
Iron.
Zinc.
Niacin.
Vitamin C.
Fatty acid.
selenium.
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
Folic acid and amino acids.

8. Stress

All kinds of physical and emotional trauma, such as stress, accidents, childbirth, and serious illness, can be a cause of severe hair loss.

This condition, which is also known as telogen effluvium, usually lasts only temporarily. The hair growth cycle consists of three important phases, namely the growth period, the resting period, and the shedding period.

Severe stress forces hair to be in a resting phase. Finally, there is no growth and the hair will fall out in large quantities when combing or washing.

9. Hormonal changes

Did you know that hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can cause hair loss?

These three conditions are related to changes in the hormones progesterone and estrogen. These two hormones help regulate the hair growth cycle.

For example, a mother who has just given birth will experience a decrease in estrogen levels. As a result, the hair will enter the resting phase more quickly and fall out.

Hormonal imbalance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also be a cause of severe hair loss. High androgen hormones in women with PCOS trigger hair loss.

10. Anemia

Anemia is a condition when the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood is drastically reduced.

Hemoglobin is a protein compound that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Anemia is usually caused by a lack of iron and can cause quite disturbing symptoms, including hair loss and headaches.

This is because the body needs adequate iron intake to carry oxygen to the body’s cells via the blood, including hair follicles. That is why, people with anemia are more prone to hair loss.