Hair Loss: More Than Cosmetic

When patients seek advice or treatment for hair problems, they may be experiencing emotional distress around both health and self-image. Hair is deeply tied to identity and relationships, including personal, professional, familial, and community.

Scalp and hair health may also provide clues to underlying health conditions, including infections. Some medications can cause hair changes. Understanding the broader impact is essential for compassionate care.

The most common reason that patients seek care or advice for a hair problem is hair loss, also known as alopecia. Hair loss can be nonscarring or scarring, a key distinction that guides diagnosis and treatment. Scarring alopecia is inflammatory and causes permanent hair loss due to follicle destruction. Nonscarring alopecia may be reversible, with follicles remaining intact.

Alopecia

• Androgenic alopecia: male pattern alopecia, female pattern alopecia
• Alopecia areata
• Traction alopecia
• Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia
• Frontal fibrosing alopecia

Medication, behavior modification, and surgery are various options to reverse hair loss or slow progression of disease, depending on its cause. Wigs, hats, caps, and scarves are important options for some patients.

Drug reactions

• Drug-induced alopecia
• Radiation-induced alopecia
• Telogen effluvium

Infections and reactions

• Tinea capitis
• Folliculitis decalvans
• Kerion
• Secondary syphilis

Explore VisualDx to learn more about different types of hair loss, how to diagnose them, and how to manage them.