Is your hair gradually thinning at the crown? There are many reasons that people lose their hair. One of the main reasons for hair loss in men is male androgenetic alopecia (MAA), also known as male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness affects 30-50% of men by the age of 50. Male pattern baldness usually starts at the temples while the receding hairline forms an “M” shape. The hair at the crown thins until it becomes bald.
Women also face androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern hair loss. Female pattern hair loss affects more than 30 million women in the United States. This type of hair loss starts with gradual thinning in the part line that gradually spreads throughout the head. A woman rarely becomes bald and rarely loses her hairline.
Some symptoms of hair loss to watch for:
- Gradual thinning: In men, this process may begin with a receding hairline and involve hairs at the crown of the head. In women, the classic sign is widening of the part line in the front of the scalp. This type of hair loss is an indication of androgenetic alopecia.
- Irritated Scalp: The formation of scales in the scalp, swelling, and irritation can signify that hair loss is possible. An irritated scalp is not a symptom that should be ignored as it could indicate scarring alopecia. Scalp irritation can also be a symptom of a fungal infection.
- Patchy bald spots: Circular bald spots or random patches of loss hair are symptoms of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and other areas of the body.
- Loose follicles: The hair loosens at the roots, coming out in clumps when you wash, comb, or gently pull on the hair.
- Full-body hair loss: Full-body hair loss can be a symptom of alopecia areata universalis. Alopecia areata universalis is the most severe of alopecias. It is the loss of all body hair to include eyebrows, eyelashes, chest hair, armpit hair, and pubic hair.
There are many treatments for hair loss. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist specializing in hair loss and hair restoration to discuss your options. If you are experiencing hair loss and would like to schedule your appointment with our hair restoration specialist, click here.
Sources:
(2018, November 14). Treating Female Pattern Hair Loss [Blog post]. Retrieved from /https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/treating-female-pattern-hair-loss
Cranewell, W, MBBS(Hons), BMedSc(Hons), and Sinclair,R , (2016 February 29), Male Androgenetic Alopecia https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/#male-androgen-alpcia.toc-references
