August is Hair Loss Awareness Month. You may be experiencing hair loss if you see bald patches or lots of thinning. There are several forms of hair loss, but the most common is cause by a medical condition called hereditary hair loss.
Hair loss can be caused by several things such as genetics, illness, and medications your currently taking; your dermatologist will start the exam by asking several questions and occasionally will require a biopsy of the scalp to determine what exactly is causing your hair loss.
The American Academy of Dermatology offers great information about Hair Loss and Tips for managing hair loss: (full article here).
Tips for managing
Dermatologists often offer their patients who have hair loss the following tips.
1. Practice good hair care. Many people are surprised to learn that a hairstyle or even the way they wash and dry their hair has contributed to their hair loss.
2. Do not stop taking a medicine that your doctor prescribed. Some medicines can cause hair loss. Doctors warn that you should not stop taking a medicine that your doctor prescribed if you see hair loss. Immediately stopping some medicines can cause serious side effects.
If you think a medicine may be causing hair loss, talk with the doctor who prescribed the medicine. Ask if the medicine could be causing your hair loss. If the medicine seems to be the cause, ask your doctor whether you can take another medicine.
3. Realize that your hair loss may be temporary. Some things in life cause temporary hair loss. These include illness, childbirth, and stress. During a very stressful time, your body may react by causing more hairs than normal to go into resting phase. For most people, the hair will start to grow again without any help.
4. Make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Many things can cause hair loss. If hair loss concerns you, be sure to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can find the cause and tell you what you what to expect.
