Wednesday, February 20, 2008

All about Baldness

Baldness, thinning or loss of hair as a result of illness, functional disorder, or hereditary disposition; also known as alopecia. Male pattern baldness, a genetic trait, is the most common cause of baldness among white males. But they are rarely susceptible in as much as it develops under the influence of testosterone, however, may experience an overall thinning of the hair. Hair loss begins at the forehead and crown and is slowly progressive. Hair-follicle transplants may cosmetically disguise male pattern baldness. Drug treatments with minoxidil or finasteride have been used with limited effectiveness. Diseases characterized by high fever like for example, scarlet and typhoid fevers, malnutrition, chemotherapy, and glandular disorders can all cause balding. Treatment of the disease or dysfunction will usually halt the loss of hair, and if the scalp and hair follicles are not severely damaged, hair will usually grow again spontaneously. Scalp infection, oiliness or dirtiness of the scalp and hair, and excessive teasing and lacquering of hair are also conducive to baldness. Alopecia areata is a disease of unknown origin characterized by non-inflamed bald patches in the scalp hair and beard. It is recurrent but is usually of short duration. You need to call your doctor in the following circumstances:

If hair loss occurs in an atypical pattern -- rapid hair loss, diffuse shedding, hair loss in patches, or breaking of hair shafts. Itching, skin irritation, redness, scaling, pain, or other symptoms accompany hair loss. Your hair loss begins after starting a medication etc.

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