If you are losing around 50 to 100 hair daily, you have nothing to worry about, as scientists say it’s totally normal. Since there are about 100,000 hairs on a healthy individual’s scalp, shedding in small numbers is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the problem arises when your hair stops regrowing or starts shedding in large numbers. In such situations, rushing to the dermatologist would be the right decision.
Your doctor may prescribe any topical ointment or medication, depending upon the situation. But if you have hereditary or permanent baldness, hair transplants are one of the potential treatments suggested. Though the price of hair transplant may be exorbitant, getting the treatment done can result in rapid hair growth and fullness.
Nonetheless, determining the cause of baldness is an important step towards reversing it. Below are the 5 commonly encountered reasons for hair fall you must know about:

1. Alopecia Areata

About 5 million people in America are suffering from alopecia areata. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly assumes the hair follicles as foreign invaders and attacks them. This results in shrinking of the follicles, and hence, hair shedding occurs.
Although the actual reason for alopecia areata is unknown, researchers believe genetics may be responsible for triggering the disease. The main symptom of alopecia areata is losing hair in small patches. You might also experience shedding hair from your eyebrows, beard, or any other part of the body.

2. Hormonal Changes

Estrogen and progesterone are the two hormones responsible for hair growth. During hormonal imbalance, the level of these hormones falls, resulting in slowing down the growth of hair. On the other hand, this decline triggers the formulation of androgens. Androgens work against hair growth by shrinking the hair follicles or causing hair growth on the face.
Commonly, hair loss due to hormonal changes is encountered in women taking birth control pills or during menopause. To prevent excessive shedding, try following these guidelines:
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3. Thyroid Disease

The outcome of thyroid conditions is either excessive or low production of hormones. This disturbance in hormonal level may result in weight gain, weight loss, or nervousness. Along with it, the T3 and T4 hormones are responsible for growing hair at the root level. On disruption, these hormones fail to work actively in growing new hairs.
Moreover, the medications prescribed for thyroid treatment may also result in hair loss. However, the condition is temporary and improves with time. To minimize the hair fall, try taking:
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4. Stress

Studies suggest both physical and mental stress can result in hair loss. If you have undergone surgery or had severe blood loss, the stress developed may lead to shedding. Similarly, people shared how psychological stress or anxiety resulted in excessive falling of hair.
However, the good news is that stress-based hair loss is not a lasting condition. You can recover the hair volume by exercising, taking nutrition, and other supplements to combat anxiety. Taking OTC treatments like minoxidil or corticosteroids can also help in hair fullness.

5. Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection on the scalp that somewhat looks like a worm. Since it’s a contagious disease, it can transfer from person to person if they come into close contact. Besides, pet animals can also be carriers without showing any signs.
The common symptom of ringworm is itchy patches. These patches then may result in breaking portions of hair, leaving behind bald spots. Painful scalp and fever are other symptoms of ringworm. If not treated on time, the ringworm can increase in severity that may cause permanent scarring or bald spots.

The Takeaway

Several other factors have resulted in spreading the problem of hair fall among the masses. However, taking preliminary measures and treating the cause at an initial stage can save you from facing permanent damage. One can timely counter hair fall originating from medical conditions with a proper diet intake and medications.   
In contrast, hereditary conditions are tough to handle but can be dealt with by taking suggestions from a skilled doctor. All in all, hair fall may be intimidating, but it can be treated well if taken seriously at the initial stage. 

WRITTEN BY

Clara Rose