One of the most distressing
forms of scalp disorders is alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. The
symptoms of this genetically predetermined disorder include physical changes in
the hair, including loss of normal vigour and elasticity. Eventually, the hair
can become thin and brittle and begin to fall out. While this type of baldness
is referred to as male pattern baldness, it can occur in either sex. With
females, however, the hairline becomes sparse, but does not recede.
For some people, thinning hair or even balding can begin to appear during
puberty. It is caused by a change in the hormonal balance, with the main culprit
being an overabundance of androgen. Heredity is the predominant factor in male
pattern baldness as it determines which “target follicles” will be susceptible
to these powerful androgens. Hair loss in women generally occurs after
menopause, reflecting decreased levels in estrogen, and thus comparatively
higher levels of androgens in the system
Contributing Factors for Hair Loss
There are a number of contributing factors causing hair loss which, if treated,
are reversible:
Stress. Excessive anxiety, a sudden shock or physical stress from surgery or
chemotherapy may also cause hair loss. You could include, in this category, a
lengthy or severe illness. In the case of a lengthy illness, the general
condition of the hair may indicate your overall poor state of health. However,
when your health is restored, the hair normally grows back on its own - without
any special treatment.
Nutritional Imbalance. A vitamin and protein deficient diet provides inadequate
nutrients for the scalp, thus affecting hair growth. For example, crash diets
often cause excessive hair loss.
Impaired Scalp Circulation. If the scalp is very tight, blood circulation to the
follicles is reduced and the hair “starves.” There are several factors which
contribute to making a scalp tight. They include changes in climate, medication,
discontinuing birth control pills, and postpartum hormonal imbalances.
Externally Caused Damage. Washing your hair with a shampoo that is too strong
can gradually strip it of its natural oils and lead to hair loss. In some cases,
hair preparations and shampoos can also cause allergic reactions.
Normal Hair Loss & the Beginning Stages of Balding
Most people lose an average of 40 to 70 hairs per day. For the most part, we are
unaware that we are losing those hairs. If your hair is healthy and heredity is
on your side, those hairs will be replaced and the hair loss will not be
noticeable.
The first warning signs of baldness appear when excessive amounts of hair fall
out when you brush your hair. You may also find a lot of hairs on your pillow,
or even some thinning on the temple or on the crown of your head. More advanced
signs of creeping baldness is a definite recession of the hairline. Even if your
genes have predetermined that you will ultimately lose your hair, there still
are several steps you can take to slow this process down.
Pregnancy Causes Female Hair Loss
It is common for women just completing pregnancy to experience female baldness.
Usually after two to three months after giving birth, a woman will notice a
moderate to large amount of hair from their comb or brush. At this point, the
woman's hair follicles are going into a resting phase. This lasts between 1-6
months after a woman gives birth and is resolved after the body recovers from
pregnancy. Causes of female hair loss like this can be attributed by further
hormonal changes that happen to a woman as she recovers from pregnancy.
Birth Control Pills Causes Female Hair Loss
Women, at younger stages of their lives, can experience causes of female hair
loss resulting from birth control pill usage. The effect of female hair loss
seems to be greater if the women already have family history of baldness. The
hormonal changes brought on by birth control pills can cause the onset of
Androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is the female hair loss caused by
hormonal imbalances. Female hair loss usually occurs 2-3 months after
discontinuing use. The length of female hair loss can be between 1-6 months and
usually stops naturally. Unfortunately in some cases, a portion of the female
hair loss may not regrow.
Homeopathic Remedies for Hair Loss
Fluoric acid: For brittle hair that falls out in small tufts.
Lycopodium: For premature balding and graying, or hair loss after childbirth.
Eczema is often behind the ears.
Kali carbonicum: For dry, thinning hair.
Kali Sulphuricum: For yellow, flaking dandruff, which may be moist or sticky.
Hair may fall out, leaving bald spots. Take one tablet twice daily for maximum 2
weeks.
Natrum mur: When hair loss is accompanied by dandruff and white crusts on the
scalp. Greasy around the hairline.
Phosphorus: When hair falls out in handfuls.
Selenium: For hair loss on the body and scalp. The scalp feels painful when
touched.