Losing hair which doctor

An autoimmune condition that targets hair follicles is alopecia areata, which is marked by fast growing circular patches of complete hair loss. Scalp infections, such as ringworm, are easily diagnosed and treated, he adds. By treating the condition, hair loss often can be stopped or reversed. Before making a diagnosis, a dermatologist will likely perform a physical exam, ask about family and personal medical history and maybe run some tests, including a blood test or even a scalp biopsy, a procedure where a small sample of skin and hair are removed for laboratory testing.

Illness, or physical stress, including major surgery, high fever, severe infection and flu. Hormonal changes from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Medications or supplements, such as those used for cancer, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis, heart problems, birth control and athletic performance anabolic steroids.

Too much vitamin A-containing supplements and medications can also cause hair loss. Dieting and poor nutrition , including extreme weight loss, protein and iron deficiency and eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia.

Emotional stress , such as the death of a loved one or divorce. Hairstyle , including years of wearing tight ponytails or cornrows; frequent use of hair products, such as hair dyes, gels, relaxers, hair sprays and frequent use of hair dryer. Some require a prescription while others are over-the-counter products. Laser treatment, o r treatment with colored light emitting medical devices are available without prescription.

People with trichotillomania hair-pulling disorder have a need to pull out their hair, usually from their head, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Traction hair loss can be due to hairstyles that put pressure on the follicles by pulling the hair back very tightly. A diet lacking in protein , iron , and other nutrients can also lead to thinning hair.

Your doctor or dermatologist can determine the cause of your hair loss based on a physical examination and your health history. In some cases, simple dietary changes can help. Your doctor may also change your prescription medications. If your dermatologist suspects an autoimmune or skin disease, they might take a biopsy of the skin on your scalp.

This will involve carefully removing a small section of skin for laboratory testing. It may take time to determine the exact cause of your hair loss. Medications will likely be the first course of treatment for hair loss. Over-the-counter OTC medications generally consist of topical creams and gels that you apply directly to the scalp. The most common products contain an ingredient called minoxidil Rogaine. According to the AAD , your doctor may recommend minoxidil in conjunction with other hair loss treatments.

Side effects of minoxidil include scalp irritation and hair growth in adjacent areas, such as your forehead or face.

Prescription medications may also treat hair loss. Doctors prescribe the oral medication finasteride Propecia for male-pattern baldness. You take this medication daily to slow hair loss. Some men experience new hair growth when taking finasteride. Rare side effects of finasteride include diminished sex drive and impaired sexual function. There may be a link between the use of finasteride and a more serious type high-grade of prostate cancer , according to the Mayo Clinic.

Doctor also prescribe corticosteroids like prednisone. Individuals with alopecia areata can use this to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids mimic the hormones made by your adrenal glands. A high amount of corticosteroid in the body reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system. There is evidence that corticosteroid use may also put you at higher risk for the following conditions:.

There are surgical procedures to treat baldness. Hair transplant surgery involves moving small plugs of skin, each with a few hairs, to bald parts of your scalp. This works well for people with inherited baldness since they typically lose hair on the top of the head. Because this type of hair loss is progressive, you would need multiple surgeries over time.

In a scalp reduction , a surgeon removes part of your scalp that lacks hair. The surgeon then closes the area with a piece of your scalp that has hair. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Diagnosis Before making a diagnosis, your doctor will likely give you a physical exam and ask about your diet, your hair care routine, and your medical and family history. You might also have tests, such as the following: Blood test. This might help uncover medical conditions that can cause hair loss.

Pull test. Your doctor gently pulls several dozen hairs to see how many come out. This helps determine the stage of the shedding process. Scalp biopsy. Your doctor scrapes samples from the skin or from a few hairs plucked from the scalp to examine the hair roots under a microscope.

This can help determine whether an infection is causing hair loss. Light microscopy. Your doctor uses a special instrument to examine hairs trimmed at their bases. Microscopy helps uncover possible disorders of the hair shaft. Hair transplant Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Hair transplant A typical hair transplant involves removing patches of hair from your head and reinserting the hair follicle by follicle into the bald sections. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Mayo Clinic; Malki L, et al. Variant PAD13 in central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. New England Journal of Medicine. Briggs JK. Hair loss. Triage Protocols for Aging Adults.

Waloters Kluwer; Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Nov. Office of Patient Education. Hair replacement surgery. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed Jan. American Cancer Society. Van Zuuren EJ, et al. Interventions for female pattern hair loss. JAMA Dermatology.

Shapiro J, et al.