Hair traits are inherited by a genetic code. Genes aside, unusual hair loss is often due to underlying physical conditions, which if not diagnosed and treated in time, can cause baldness in addition to aggravating the physical condition.
Acute infections, extremely high fever, severe flu and other illnesses have been found to be responsible for hair loss. In these cases the hair follicles enter a rest phase and massive hair loss will be seen from four to twelve weeks after serious infections and illnesses. This is a temporary condition and the lost hair will be replaced as the shedding winds down and new hair grows. Good nourishment will allow the hair to grow healthy and beautiful.
Hormonal malfunctions are often responsible for serious shedding that can result in baldness. This is often seen in hyperactive and hypoactive thyroid function. A blood test will show an abnormal thyroid level and once diagnosed can easily be treated and the condition reversed with proper medication.
Uncontrolled and unmonitored diets low in proteins will cause hair loss. Insufficient protein consumption will make the body use protein for vital functions and will send the hair onto a resting phase, resulting in massive shedding within six to twelve weeks. This condition is totally reversible with proper protein intake during dieting.
Cancer treatments can be especially damaging to hair. Hair often splits and breaks off at the scalp within a week or two of treatment. Sometimes loss of hair can reach 90%, causing baldness. In this situation, careful treatment must be carried out under supervised medical care. Treatment may have to be reduced or distanced. The hair will, however, grow back, though very slowly, on terminating the treatment.
Iron deficiency can cause hair loss, either due to inadequate diet or incapacity to absorb iron due to other underlying problems. Heavy menstrual bleeding and pregnancy can cause iron deficiency. These can be easily detected with blood tests and treated with iron supplements and iron rich diets. Underlying health problems like inadequate food absorption due to gastro-intestinal complications will require treatment for this underlying problem before the hair issue can be addressed.
Chronic illnesses, infections, diseases and major surgery can cause heavy hair shedding due to insufficient protein. Again this will be seen from one to three months of the health condition. The condition is totally reversible in a few months. In acute chronic illnesses, hair can shed indefinitely leading to bald patches on the scalp or total baldness. In this situation, a qualified hair expert must be consulted in addition to extensive laboratory tests to determine the underlying cause for the hair loss. Once the underlying chronic condition is diagnosed, the precise treatment can be started to reverse the baldness.
Hair is considered a crowning glory especially for women. A good head of hair is beautiful in its own right and makes many a head turn. Caring and treating falling hair as soon as the problem is detected can return that hair to its rightful glory.