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Hair loss in women as a symptom of disease
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In comparison with other parts of the body, the vegetation on the head contains the most hair. In this case, in addition to the aesthetic load, other functions are not performed. Increased brittleness, dryness and ultimately loss of strands - this is a serious problem, which can be a sign of certain diseases.
Causes of severe hair loss in women
Hair loss on the head, this is quite a natural process. But if every day there are more and more hairs on the comb, then this is the reason to seek medical help in order to find the causes of increased baldness. Hair in women often lose their strength due to immunogenetic diseases and stress.
The main reasons for the increased loss of curls include:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Disorders in the endocrine system.
- Infectious and viral pathologies.
- Oncological processes in the body and their treatment with chemotherapy.
- Temperature influence and mechanical damage.
- Unbalanced nutrition, vitamin deficiency.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and other hormonal changes.
- Fungal diseases.
- Exchange disorders in the body.
- Genetic predisposition to alopecia.
In addition to the above reasons, a strong loss of strands is observed with intoxication, uncontrolled intake of antibiotics and hormonal drugs, frequent staining. Restoration of the beauty of the head of hair is based on the elimination of factors that caused a painful condition and comprehensive strengthening of the body.
For other reasons for hair loss in women, read this article.
We will also consider the main diseases accompanied by baldness:
- The loss of hair in women is often associated with sudden hormonal leaps: puberty, pregnancy and breastfeeding, menopause. These factors are not pathological, since they are part of female physiology, but can lead to so-called alopecia of the nesting form.
- Gluten disease is a condition in which, with the use of gluten-rich foods, the small intestine inflames. Because of this, the body is unable to properly absorb nutrients. Pathology occurs with severe pain in the abdomen, weight loss, chronic fatigue, thinning and hair loss.
- Cushing's syndrome - increased secretion of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands. Symptomatic develops gradually, so the disease is difficult to diagnose. In this case, the syndrome itself does not lead to baldness, but if it occurs with benign neoplasms on the adrenal glands, then the problem of alopecia arises.
- Diseases of the thyroid gland - this body produces hormones responsible for many metabolic processes in the body. With hyperthyroidism, that is, hyperactivity of the organ or hypothyroidism, its hypoactivity, the metabolic rate is disrupted. This helps to reduce the life cycle of hair follicles, curls become thin, brittle, drop out.
- Food disorders - malnutrition, unbalanced diet, deficiency of nutrients, inflammatory lesions of the digestive tract and a number of other factors lead to a deterioration in the quality of curls, their withering away. Also, anemia leads to baldness, that is , iron deficiency in the body.
- Oncological diseases - baldness occurs during the treatment of malignant tumors, that is, during chemotherapy or radiation exposure. Chemotherapeutic drugs inhibit the growth of follicles. In some patients, up to 90% of the vegetation on the head will fall out during treatment. But after the end of anti-cancer therapy, the hairline is restored.
- Diseases of the central nervous system - psychological and nervous disorders entail a number of problems, including the shaving of the head of hear.
In addition to the above diseases, there are many other pathologies that cause alopecia in women. In any case, a noticeable deterioration in the state of the hair, this is an occasion to consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination of the body.
Psychosomatics
Female hair loss is often associated with psychological causes. Psychosomatics explains alopecia and many other pathologies, so that all diseases go from the head. That is, an unstable emotional background, increased irritability, stress, depression and more lead to a decrease in the protective properties of the immune system and, as a result, to various diseases.
Many psychological problems lead to such problems:
- Increased fat content of hair.
- Dryness and fragility.
- Slow growth.
- Seborrhea (dry / fatty dandruff).
- Alopecia.
- Rashes on the scalp, irritation and sores.
Psychosomatics distinguishes such main causes of loss of curls:
- Fear - from the point of view of physiology fear or fright, this is a strong stress, in which there is a spasm of blood vessels. Abnormal nutrition of the follicles entails increased hair loss. This is observed if a person often experiences negative emotions.
- Disappointment, depression - these factors have a subconscious effect on the body, slowing down many important processes, including the growth of follicles.
- Feeling of guilt and shame - from a psychological point of view, almost identical problems. And in the first and second case there are sharp fluctuations in weight, there are dermatological diseases and alopecia.
- Gender - this problem is typical for women, the fact that many ladies in certain situations cease to feel weak sex. In the head, the idea of a male role arises, which causes a characteristic for men focal alopecia.
- Loss of spirituality and denial - renunciation of role in society or family, devaluation of moral principles and faith leads to psychological problems and deterioration of well-being.
There is a serious psychological disorder - trichotillomania, which occurs against a background of severe stress. The peculiarity of this pathology is that a person feels the need to tear out his own hair, and sometimes with their subsequent eating. Most often this disease is diagnosed in women and children of childhood.
The obsessive state can lead to both partial and total alopecia. Most often, the hair is removed from the head, eyelashes and eyebrows may also break out. With the progression of the disease, pulling out of the hair appears on any part of the body. For the removal of strands, patients use their own nails, tweezers or other mechanical objects. The result of this plucking is loss of hair and damage to the skin.
To determine the psychosomatic component of hair loss, seek medical attention. In this case, there are a number of symptoms that indicate this cause of deterioration of the hairdo:
- Hair loss occurs gradually for a long time. The number of lost hairs increases daily. If alopecia is associated with other causes, then the changes occur dramatically and in a short period of time.
- In addition to the shag, the quality deteriorates. You often have to wash your hair, as the curls quickly fade, fade, lose volume.
- Deterioration affects not only the hair, but also on the nails and skin. Progressing neurological condition leads to increased fragility and delamination of the nails, the appearance of pigmentation on the body.
A neuropathologist / psychotherapist and trichologist are involved in the treatment of the psychosomatic component of hair loss in women. Patients are assigned auto-training, meditation and yoga. The main goal of therapy is to recognize your femininity, eliminate stressful situations, chronic trauma and resentment. Changing the situation, the maximum positive emotions and proper care for the vegetation, I return the beauty and strength to the hair.
Sharp hair loss in women
Beautiful hair is not only a sign of the attractiveness of its owner, but also a signal about the health of the body. Strong loss and deterioration of the head of the head of hair, is a sign of pathological processes and disorders in the body.
Mostly, an abundant loss of curls is associated with the action of such factors as:
- Hormonal imbalance (puberty, pregnancy, lactation, menopause).
- Emotional feelings, depression, stress.
- The use of potent drugs or oral contraceptives.
- Lack of nutrients in the body.
- Allergic reactions to the means used to care for vegetation.
- Use of chemical means for styling, tight hair.
- Dermatological diseases of scalp and other.
Sharp hair loss in women is an occasion to seek medical help. Diagnosis and treatment of this problem deals with a doctor trichologist. After comprehensive comprehensive examinations and establishing the cause of alopecia, the doctor makes a therapy regimen. Treatment consists of the normalization of metabolic processes in the body and special care procedures for asthma.
Itching and hair loss in women
The problem of hair loss is one of the most urgent today. It can touch absolutely everyone, regardless of age or gender. If alopecia is accompanied by itching, then it gives discomfort, and when combing the skin and painful sensations. This condition requires diagnosis and treatment.
Most often, the etiology of pruritus and loss of curls is associated with the use of inappropriate cosmetics to care for hair or various diseases that require emergency treatment.
The main reasons why it itchs the head and thinning strands on the head are:
- Stress is the cause of many disease states of the body. As a rule, the curls begin to fade and fall out 1-2 months after emotional overstrain. If the stress is chronic, then baldness assumes a permanent basis.
- Allergic reactions - itching can be caused by cosmetic products, which include sodium lauryl sulfate. This substance provides a good shampoo, but it can irritate the delicate skin.
- Seborrhea (dandruff) - drying hair with a hot hair dryer, using plaques, ironing and other devices for curling dry the scalp and the hairs themselves. Seborrhea can occur with frequent head wash. For example, if a woman has dry skin, frequent washing leads to her more thinning, irritation and the appearance of dandruff. These processes trigger the mechanism of alopecia. With chronic seborrheic dermatitis, the hair looks fat, on the shoulders and head are visible flakes of dandruff, washing the head does not improve the morbid condition.
- Fungal diseases - the scalp affects the fungus Mycosorum and Trichophyton. Mycoses of the scalp have different symptoms, but all of them are accompanied by itching and lead to a decrease in vegetation.
- Parasitic infestations - infection with lice and mites lead to pronounced itch of scalp and alopecia. A dangerous mite - demodex, affects the hair follicles, causes redness and flaking of the skin. If the tick settles on the eyelashes, then it leads to their loss.
- Psoriasis - non-infectious skin disease of chronic nature, proceeds with the formation of red plaques on the head. The adrenals progress rapidly, spreading over the entire surface of the hairline and beyond. The hairs thicken and become covered with scales that crumble when combed.
- Atopic dermatitis - the neurodermite is manifested by papular eruptions and proceeds with the loss of ringlets in the places of the appearance of papules. Causes severe itching, which is worse at night.
In addition to the above reasons, itching and baldness can be signs of diabetes mellitus, a deficiency of vitamins in the body, a symptom of autoimmune processes, prolonged intoxication or hormonal disorders. Complex diagnostic approach and treatment allow you to get rid of this problem.
Dandruff and hair loss in women
A common cosmetic problem affecting the scalp, causing deterioration of the hair and its loss is dandruff (seborrhea). This skin disease caused by the malfunctioning of the sebaceous glands and the development of skin fungus.
Dandruff - a particle of the upper layer of the head, which is unevenly exfoliated. In places of active peeling, the skin becomes inflamed and starts to itch. This contributes to the progression of the skin fungus and increased hair loss. In addition, the weakened skin of the head can not fully nourish the follicles, which leads to a deterioration of the state of the strands and a loss of their elasticity.
The appearance of dandruff in combination with alopecia is most often associated with such factors:
- Non-compliance with personal hygiene.
- The effects of chemicals contained in cosmetics.
- Allergic reactions.
- Incorrect food.
- Bad habits.
- Hormonal failures.
- Stress and nervous strain.
- Negative environmental conditions.
- Exchange disorders of the body.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Diseases of internal organs.
- Weakened immune system.
- Reception of medicines.
- Poor blood circulation in the scalp.
- Frequent temperature fluctuations in the environment.
The action of any of the above factors leads to a malfunction in the operation of the sebaceous glands and entails such complications:
- With increased secretion of skin secretions, tissues try to clean themselves of dirt and toxins that clog pores. Curls look dirty and greasy, dandruff falls off large patches and fatty to the touch.
- With insufficient secretion of secretion, the skin dries up, the strands weak and become brittle. Against this background, dry flakes of dandruff appear.
Dandruff delivers aesthetic discomfort and is accompanied by such symptoms: increased itching, abundant separation of keratinized skin particles, rapid contamination of hair, appearance of areas with bald patches. Treatment of seborrhea and alopecia should be occupied by a trichologist. If you let the disease into its own right, it will lead to serious problems, because the stronger the dandruff, the greater the loss of ringlets.
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Hair loss when washing the head in women
When combing and washing the head, the most hair will fall out. First of all, the curls that have already separated from the follicle depart and should fall out themselves. Old strands can not withstand the weight of water (the rods absorb up to 70% of the liquid) and fall off. If there is a sharp alopecia, then most often it is connected with such factors:
- Hormonal failure.
- Postponed stresses.
- Reception / withdrawal of hormonal medications.
- Disorders in the endocrine system.
- Diseases of the thyroid gland.
- Unbalanced nutrition (deficiency of protein and other nutrients in the body).
- Disturbed blood circulation in the scalp.
- Infectious diseases.
Significant damage to the head of hearing occurs in the postpartum period. To strengthen and preserve the curls you should balance your diet, as well as choose the means with a natural, safe composition for the care of strands. If the problem is related to diseases and other internal factors, you should seek medical help and be sure to trichologist.
Hair loss in bundles and scraps in women
Every day a person loses about 100 hairs, but if their number increases, then this is an occasion to seek medical help and determine the cause of the morbid condition.
The main causes of hair loss:
- Unbalanced nutrition, hard diet. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals adversely affects the condition of ringlets, bones and skin. Thinning the fatty layer helps to reduce the production of female sex hormones.
- Hormonal changes in the body - can be associated with a recent pregnancy and childbirth, the menopausal period or the intake of hormonal contraceptives. A painful condition is one of the symptoms of pathological processes in the ovaries.
- Injury of curls - frequent staining, curling, use of lacquer and other chemicals negatively affects the condition of the hairstyle. Destructive effect and daily drying with a hair dryer.
In addition to the above factors, the loss of hair bundles can be caused by serious diseases of internal organs, age-related changes or appear due to genetic predisposition. Strong stress and experience also contributes to a significant shaving of the head of hear. Treatment is aimed at eliminating pathological factors and strengthening the body. Restoration of the hairline occurs gradually.
Hair loss with a bulb in women
An important component of the structure of the hair is its follicle from which the stem grows. Normally, during the ripening and die-off period, the follicle remains in place. If hair loss occurs with the bulb, then this may be due to the following reasons:
- Avitominosis - a deficiency of vitamins and trace elements, especially zinc and magnesium, has a disastrous effect on the state of the curls.
- Increased production of dihydrotestosterone.
- Ischemic heart disease (baldness is a complication).
- Dermatological diseases (dermatitis, psoriasis).
- Stress and increased emotional stress.
- Negative impact of environmental factors.
- Improper maintenance of curls and their frequent trauma.
- Fungal, viral and infectious diseases of the body, scalp.
- The use of certain drugs.
- Recovery period after severe diseases.
- Exchange violations.
The loss of the stem with the follicle can be observed evenly over the entire head or occur only in a certain area. Very often, before this problem, the curls become noticeably thinner and lose their attractive appearance.
To prevent hair loss, consult a dermatologist or trichologist. The doctor will appoint a set of laboratory studies, usually a blood test for hormones, syphilis, HIV, testosterone and the biochemical composition of the blood. Treatment depends on the results of the studies. To restore the density of strands and prevent their loss, special shampoos, maxi and sprays are prescribed. Also recommended the use of vitamins, which strengthen the roots of hair - A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B8, B12, C.
Hair loss on the crown of women
Alopecia in the androgenetic type, that is, hair loss on the vertex, is most often associated with the action of dihydrotestosterone. This hormone occurs during the transformation of testosterone and is one of the main causes of female alopecia. There are also other reasons for the loss of vegetation in the crown area:
- Fungal diseases of the scalp.
- Disturbances in the thyroid gland.
- Hormonal failures caused by abnormalities in the adrenal or ovarian function.
- Deficiency of female sex hormones (estrogens).
- The impact of external factors.
- Poor nutrition.
- Too stiff hairstyles and improper care for curls.
- Stresses and nervous experiences.
- The use of cosmetics for styling with increased content of chemicals.
- Intoxication with heavy metals and other substances.
Androgenetic alopecia in women develops gradually and has a characteristic symptomatology. First of all, the strands are thinning along their entire length, the curls look dull, dry and brittle. In the place of their loss begins to grow pushkovy hair.
To restore the hair on the vertex, it is necessary to balance the level of hormones in the body. The optimal ratio between female and male hormones will improve the condition of the hairstyle and the body as a whole. Also, stressors and experiences that lead to hormonal imbalance should be minimized or completely eliminated. If necessary, hormonal preparations with corrective action can be prescribed.
As prevention of loss of curls in the top of the head, it is recommended to take vitamin-mineral complexes and eat well. Also, you should properly take care of the curls and not save on the means of caring for them.
Hair loss in the temples of women
The appearance of bald patches on the temples is a rather unpleasant phenomenon, causing aesthetic discomfort, and in some cases psychological problems. The hair loss in the temporal region of the head in women is due to the following reasons:
- Deficiency of vitamins in the body.
- Imbalance of the hormonal background.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Non-compliance with the rules for the use of hormonal contraceptives.
- Abuse of carbohydrates (overeating sweets).
- Ovarian diseases or their removal.
- Pathology of the genitourinary system.
- Sharp weight loss.
- Unbalanced diet, rigid diets.
- Psychological disorders.
- Drug therapy.
- Wrong hair care.
To treat this type of baldness, you should consult your doctor and determine the exact cause of hair loss in women. All patients during and after therapy should adhere to a rational diet rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements. To care for locks, special shampoos, masks and sprays are prescribed. In especially severe cases, medications and physiotherapy can be prescribed.
Hair loss on the nape of women
A prominent feature of focal (nested) alopecia is the hair loss on the occiput. In women, this type of alopecia occurs when such factors act:
- Neurotic disorders and unstable emotional states.
- Disturbances of blood circulation.
- Seborrhea and other dermatological diseases.
- Increased sweating in the nape of the neck (sweat blocks the follicles, disrupting their normal growth).
- Viral, infectious or fungal diseases of the body.
- Unbalanced nutrition (vitamin and micronutrient deficiency).
Another important reason for palliation of the occiput in the fairer sex is a hormonal failure. Imbalance of hormones can be caused by pregnancy, menopause, hard diets, nervous disorders.
Treatment of a pathological condition depends on the factors that provoked it and the results of the conducted diagnostics. Therapy can be medicamentous, hardware, and in especially severe cases and radical (hair transplantation). Particular attention should be paid to preventive measures aimed at preserving the curls. As a preventive measure, one should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and properly take care of the hair.
Hair loss and eyebrows in women
Alopecia affects not only the scalp on the head, but also the eyebrows. Normally eyebrows fall out rarely, giving way to new ones. But if bald patches appear in their place, then it is worthwhile to seek medical help and identify possible causes of the problem. More often simultaneous loss of curls and eyebrows is connected with such factors:
- Diseases of the thyroid gland.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Stress and emotional stress.
- Age changes.
- Malnutrition and rigid diets.
- Drug therapy.
- Complications of surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiation exposure.
- Infectious diseases.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Lichen.
- Demodex (a mite that infects the follicles).
- Endocrine pathologies (diabetes).
- Lack of vitamins and minerals in the body.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Complications of cosmetic procedures: tattooing, microblasting (eyebrows), chemical perm, staining (strands).
If the symptoms of baldness only made themselves felt, then you should pay attention to the general state of the body, to review the diet, the features of eyebrow care and hair. If the aesthetic problem is associated with serious diseases, then after their elimination, the hairline itself will recover.
During treatment, it is contraindicated to pull out eyebrows and subject them to any other trauma. Also, protect vegetation from the effects of low temperatures and sunlight.
Hair loss in the frontal part of women
About 30% of women in the period of menopause face the problem of androgenetic alopecia. The thinning of the hair in the frontal part of the head can occur at a young age with regular emotional exhaustion or thyroid diseases. Curls become dry and brittle, they acquire a shortened life cycle, and a progressive dying off of bulbs is also observed.
Loss of strands in the forehead region occurs gradually. Such factors as the postpartum period, profuse menstruation, taking medications, unbalanced diet and exacerbation of chronic diseases aggravate the problem of alopecia.
Elimination of the cosmetic problem begins with the establishment of the cause of its appearance. For the treatment can be prescribed medication, a course of physiotherapy, special shampoos, masks and other means to strengthen the curls and stimulate their growth.
Fallout of pubic hair in women
Medical statistics indicate that the thicker the hairline in the intimate area, the higher the content of sex hormones in the body. If a woman begins to fall out pubic hair, then this can be due to such factors:
- Physiological change of curls.
- Deficiency of protein, vitamins and minerals.
- Sharp loss of body weight.
- Rigid diets.
- Lokal pediculosis.
- Astringent lichen.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Tumors of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
- Prolonged fever.
- Blood loss.
- Heavy metal poisoning.
- Stress and depression.
- Lack of gonadotropic hormones.
In addition to the above reasons, alopecia can be associated with hypopituitarism. This disease begins with a loss of interest in sex and the development of frigidity. Against this background, there is a violation of the menstrual cycle, hairs fall out in the armpits and on the pubic area.
If the pathology was due to a pituitary tumor, then the above symptoms are accompanied by headaches, deterioration of visual acuity. With the defeat of the hypothalamus, the thinning of the intimate area is accompanied by increased drowsiness, malfunctions in the body's thermoregulation, periodic psychoses, and a violation of appetite.
With a deficiency of gonadotropic hormones, there is a decrease in sexual desire, malfunctions in the regularity of the menstrual cycle, atrophy of the mammary glands, alopecia areata and axillary depressions. Cosmetic problem can indicate venereal diseases, lichen, and also occur with frequent wax epilations. Gynecologist and endocrinologist are engaged in treatment of a problem.
Acne and hair loss causes in women
Many women face such a problem as the appearance of small inflammatory nodules with purulent contents on the scalp. The appearance of acne accompanied by an increased loss of curls occurs due to gram-positive anaerobic microorganisms.
The first symptom of the appearance of acne is itching and burning. A couple of days on the head formed pustules. When they are injured or natural resolution, hairs that grow in the affected follicles drop out. Most often, the rashes are localized on the back of the head, in the partitions between the locks, on the temples and the upper forehead. When deep pimples appear on the skin, cicatricial changes remain, which also contribute to baldness.
The main reasons for the appearance of pimples and alopecia in women are:
- Hormonal disorders (pregnancy, postpartum period, menstruation, menopause, puberty).
- Polycystic ovary.
- Hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands.
- Narrowing of hair follicle channels.
- Diseases of the central nervous system.
- Violation of the adrenal glands.
- Bacterial infections.
In addition to the above factors, pathology can be associated with taking medications, improper nutrition, violation of hygiene rules, bad habits, allergic reactions to cosmetics, bed linen, comb material and others.
Treatment of a painful condition requires a comprehensive approach. Patients are prescribed a strict dietary diet and a rejection of bad habits. If the disorder is associated with chronic diseases or hormonal disorders, then their treatment and correction is carried out.
With progressive purulent eruptions prescribe antibiotics. Antifungal agents, detoxifying agents and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used. Particular attention is paid to the physiotherapeutic method: cryotherapy, ultraviolet irradiation, vacuum disinfestation.
Hair loss in the hands of women
Hair is on the entire surface of the skin, including on the hands. In this area, the hairs can be thin, soft and light or on the contrary dense, hard and dark. And the first and second option depends on the hormonal balance of the female body. The sharp loss of vegetation on the hands is most often associated with such factors:
- Diseases of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.
- Follicular keratosis (inflammation of the follicles).
- Dermatitis.
- Allergic reactions.
- Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
- Astringent lichen.
- Psoriasis.
- Eczema.
- Deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body.
All of the above reasons require medical intervention. Hair loss occurs when the body is rebuilt during the change of seasons, for example, in the autumn-spring period. In this case, it is enough to balance the diet and saturate the diet with vitamins, so that the state of vegetation has returned to normal.