It sometimes can be hard to notice the early signs of hair loss as hair loss can be a gradual process of a lengthy period of time. Hair loss does not happen overnight. However, if you are reading this article, you are probably already concerned about the prospect that you may be loosing your hair. We all know prevention is better than a cure but sometimes hair loss just happens.
Not everyone loses their hair in the same fashion. The type of hair loss you have may determine the signs you may notice however no matter what type of hair loss you have, there are early signs that can act as warnings that you need to lookout for.
Genetic Hair Loss
Just because your mother or father may have suffered from hair loss or hair thinning it is not a clear indication that you will also suffer the same fate. On the other side of the coin, however, if your father lost his hair at the age of 21, it does not mean that you are in the clear should you have reached the age of 31 and are still sporting a full head of hair.
The genes for hair loss can be inherited from both sides of the family but they can also skip generations. While genetics can determine the pattern of hair loss, your parents are not always your blueprint.
The signs of hair loss you need to watch for are:
• Hair loss that runs in the family
• A receding hairline
• Thinner hair than usual
• A wider centre part
• Ability to see the scalp through the hair at the top of the head
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen Effluvium means sudden or severe stress. This can cause hair loss or thinning. Some stages in our lives will ultimately cause us to feel stressed such as a bereavement or even going through pregnancy.
What we eat, or do not eat, can also have an effect on hair growth.
Telogen effluvium and the impact of our diets can cause excess shedding of hair causes hair to be thinner. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron-deficiency anaemia, can result in hair loss.
The signs of hair thinning you need to watch for are:
• Extra hair fall
• Thinner hair than usual
• A dramatic change in diet or weight
• A stressful event that may have happened a few months ago
Alopecia Areata
This type of hair loss generally comes on very suddenly. The hair loss generally presents itself as coin-sized bald patches on the scalp but it can affect other areas of hair-bearing skin. Some people only have one small bald spot that can be hidden by the rest of the hair but others may have a few more, or even larger patches. Sometimes the hair will grow back on its own and can in fact be seasonal. However, in some cases it can get worse and spread, eventually leading to baldness.
The signs of alopecia you need to watch for are:
• Clumps of hair fall
• Smooth bald patches
• If any other family members have or have had the condition
• Severe infection or extremely stressful situation which may have triggered it
