Which illnesses cause hair loss

Yes, treating the thyroid disease can reverse the hair loss. When your body gets enough of the missing nutrients, hair can regrow. People can develop hair loss where boots, socks, or tight clothing frequently rubs against their skin. The medical term for this is frictional alopecia. Hair tends to regrow on its own when the rubbing stops. Being slowly poisoned can lead to hair loss. Poisons that can cause hair loss include arsenic, thallium, mercury, and lithium. If you ingest a large amount of warfarin, which is found in rat poisons, it can also cause hair loss.

Taking large amounts of vitamin A or selenium is also toxic and can cause hair loss. Yes, hair tends to regrow when you are no longer exposed to the poison. Without an accurate diagnosis, treatment is often ineffective.

Guo EL, Katta R. Jakhar D, Kaur I. Paus R, Olsen EA, et al. Senthilkumaran S, Balamurugan N, et al. Shannon F, Christa S, et. Sperling LC. Dermatology Secrets Plus fifth edition. Elsevier, China, Vafaie J, Weinberg JM, et al. Types of hair loss Alopecia areata Female pattern hair loss Frontal fibrosing alopecia. Treatment for hair loss Hair loss treatment Treating alopecia areata Hair transplant What you can do.

Insider secrets Alopecia areata: Self care Hair loss or shedding? Early signs of hair loss New moms: Tips Scalp psoriasis Stop damaging your hair. Hereditary hair loss Both men and women develop this type of hair loss, which is the most common cause of hair loss worldwide. Age With age, most people notice some hair loss because hair growth slows.

Cancer treatment If you receive chemotherapy or have radiation treatment to your head or neck, you may lose all or most of your hair within a few weeks of starting treatment. Childbirth, illness, or other stressors A few months after giving birth, recovering from an illness, or having an operation, you may notice a lot more hairs in your brush or on your pillow.

Hair care If you color, perm, or relax your hair, you could be damaging your hair. Hairstyle pulls on your scalp If you often wear your hair tightly pulled back, the continual pulling can lead to permanent hair loss. Hair loss care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Hair loss alopecia can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent. Male-pattern baldness Open pop-up dialog box Close. Male-pattern baldness Male-pattern baldness typically appears first at the hairline or top of the head. Female-pattern baldness Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Female-pattern baldness Female-pattern baldness typically starts with scalp hairs becoming progressively less dense. Patchy hair loss alopecia areata Open pop-up dialog box Close. Patchy hair loss alopecia areata In the type of patchy hair loss known as alopecia areata, hair loss occurs suddenly and usually starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap.

Traction alopecia Open pop-up dialog box Close. Traction alopecia Hair loss can occur if you wear pigtails, braids or cornrows, or use tight hair rollers. Frontal fibrosing alopecia Open pop-up dialog box Close. Frontal fibrosing alopecia Early treatment of a receding hairline frontal fibrosing alopecia might help avoid significant permanent baldness. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references AskMayoExpert. Mayo Clinic; Malki L, et al. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can cause hair loss. Ringworm on the scalp, or tinea capitis , can cause temporary bald areas on the head.

If ringworm does not heal by itself, then a doctor may prescribe an antifungal medicine. Alternatively, they may prescribe an antibiotic , such as Griseofulvin. It is normal for a certain amount of hair to fall out every day. People usually lose up to hairs each day. If a person notices that they are losing more hair than usual, they may have an underlying condition.

In that instance, they should see a doctor and seek advice on what the best treatment options are. Hair loss is a side effect of certain medications. Read on to find out which medications can cause hair loss. We also provide tips on how to prevent…. We look at the main causes of hair loss in women, the emotional impact it can have and why research into new treatments for female hair loss appears….

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when a person does not have enough iron in their body or the body cannot use its supply properly.

This can cause a…. Many essential oils show promise for promoting hair growth, including peppermint, bergamot, and jojoba oil. In this article, we look at the best…. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that usually results in unpredictable, patchy hair loss. Approximately 7 million people in the U. Causes and treatments for hair loss. If you have a family history of baldness, you may have this type of hair loss. Certain sex hormones can trigger hereditary hair loss.

It may begin as early as puberty. In some cases, hair loss may occur with a simple halt in the cycle of hair growth. Major illnesses, surgeries, or traumatic events can trigger hair loss. However, your hair will usually start growing back without treatment. Diseases that cause scarring, such as lichen planus and some types of lupus , can result in permanent hair loss because of the scarring.

A physical or emotional shock may trigger noticeable hair loss. Examples of this type of shock include:. 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.