A normal cycle of hair growth and loss
A normal cycle of hair growth has been considered to be end between 2 to 6 years. Each hair will grow about 1 centimeter (surely less than ½ an inch) every month during such phase. About 90% of the hair onto the scalp grows at any given time. This makes that about 10% of the hair onto the scalp, at any given time, is in a resting phase. After 2 to 3 months, the resting hair would fall out and new hair begins to grow in the same place.
It is considered to be physiologically normal to shed some hair every day as part of that cycle. Nevertheless, some people might experience severe (more than normal) hair loss. Hair loss of certain type affects men, women and children.
The causes of hair loss
There are many things those can cause severe hair loss. For instance, about 3 or 4 months after any chronic illness or some major surgeries, one may suddenly lose great amount of hairs. This hair loss is concerned to the stress of the illnesses and is quite temporary.
Another factor that contributes hair loss is hormonal problem. This may cause hair loss like if the thyroid gland is overactive or under-active, the hair may start falling out. This hair loss generally can be helped with the curing of thyroid disease. Hair loss might occur if male or female hormones, medically termed as androgens and estrogens get out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance might stop the overall hair loss.
Many women also observe hair loss about three months after they deliver babies. This loss is also because of some hormonal imbalance. During pregnancy, there are high levels of some hormones due to the body keeps hair that normally would have fallen out. When these hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, those hairs fall out and the again, a normal cycle of growth/loss begins.
There are some medications those can cause hair loss. Such type of hair loss gets improved when one stops taking the medicine. Medicines those can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also known as anticoagulants), medications used to treat gout, medicines used in chemotherapy for treating cancer, vitamin A (if taken in overdose), contraceptive pills and antidepressants.
Certain infections can also make hair to fall. Fungal infections of the scalp may cause hair loss, especially in kids. The infection is generally treated with antifungal medications.
Some common treatments for hair loss
Depending upon the type of hair loss, treatments are done. If medicines are causing the hair loss, a doctor might be able to prescribe some different medicines. Recognizing and treating particular infection might help stopping the hair loss. Correcting hormonal imbalance can prevent further hair loss.
The medicines those can help slowing or preventing the development of common baldness are plenty in market. One of those is minoxidil that is available without any prescription. It is applied onto the scalp and both; men and women can go for it. Another medicine called as finasteride is available but with a prescription. It comes in capsules and can be used only for men. It might take up to 6 months before one can opine if one of these medicines have worked.
Latest technology such as laser and hair replacement therapy also help preventing and curing hair loss.
