Factors affecting hair loss

There are many possible causes of hair loss.

*Heredity. Nearly all incidents of male and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) are due to family history.
*Major body stress. High fever, severe flu, surgery, and other stressful situations can cause hair loss, although it may not show up for weeks or months afterward.
*Childbirth. Some women experience hair loss several months after giving birth. The hair usually grows back.
*Medication side effect. A number of drugs can cause sudden hair loss. Certain medications used to treat arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, and gout may have this effect.
*Medical treatment. Hair loss may result from cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Your hair will begin to regrow after you complete your treatment.
*Symptoms of a medical illness. Hair loss is a symptom of various conditions, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and lupus.
*Poor nutrition. You may have hair loss if your diet includes too little protein, iron, or other nutrients.
*Ringworm or tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp). In this type of infection, hair breaks off at the scalp, and the scalp becomes flaky or scaly.
*Alopecia areata. This disease of the immune system is often hereditary, but its cause is unclear.
*Hair treatments. Chemicals used to dye, bleach, straighten, or curl hair can cause damage if they are overused or used incorrectly. Heat from rollers or curling irons and hairstyles that pull hair tightly can also cause hair loss. This is known as traumatic alopecia.
*Trichotillomania. This is an abnormal desire to pull hair out.