Hair Loss (“Alopecia”)

There can be many causes of hair loss, including hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata or systemic lupus erythematosis, dermatitides such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis herpetiformis (Celiac Disease), stress, hormonal imbalances such as hypertestosteronemia and hyperinsulinemia, and so forth.

Many medications cause hair loss, including oral contraceptives and blood pressure medications.  It is important to have a thorough serologic (blood) work up to help determine the causes of hair loss.

In addition, it is the physician’s responsibility to perform microscopic examination of plucked hair, as well as of the scalp follicles, looking for fungal, bacterial, protozoan, or viral infections of the hair follicle.

Gluten sensitive enteropathy, zinc deficiency (acrodermatitis enteropathica) and many other nutritional deficiencies are well-documented to cause hair loss.

Often, hair loss is a result of a stressful event which occurred 3 months prior to the hair loss.

Frequently we see many topical hair products causing hair loss as well as damage to the hair follicles.  We can help you determine the etiology of your hair loss.

Usually the causes of hair loss can be treated successfully, although it may take many months to re-establish hair growth.