It is estimated that up to 45% of people will be affected by hair loss in one form or another. The causes of hair loss are as follows:
Genetic Causes - 91% of male or female pattern baldness.
Auto immune diseases - an immune reaction attacks the hair follicles, producing antibodies that attack these tissues as if they were foreign invaders.
Connective tissue disease - causes scarring of skin, loss of circulation to hair follicle and autoimmune reaction leading to temporary or permanent loss of hair.
Exposure to toxic chemicals - Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of lethal and damaging chemicals which can accelerate normal hair loss and retard effects of medication and surgical restoration. This effect can result either from being a smoker or from second hand smoke.
Radiation exposure - Irradiation therapy or exposure to radiation from any source can cause localized or total hair loss, which may be permanent if the dose is high enough.
Iron deficiency anemia - very common with woman but also can affect men.
Hormonal changes - due to pregnancy, birth control pills and menopause.
Thyroid disease - either hypothyroid or hyperthyroid disease causes hair to become brittle and break resulting in localized or generalized loss. Correction of the thyroid condition usually causes hair to re-grow.
Stress - usually temporary and transient of the alopecia areata type.
Drug interactions - certain vitamins prescription and over the counter, may have individual and non-specific side effects of hair loss. Usually, when the medication is discontinued, the hair re-grows. Tell your health care provider all medications you are taking and try to have one pharmacist fill all prescriptions and over the counter products.
Individual reaction to illness or a personal sensitivity to the environment - Alopecia can be a reaction to your environment where hair loss is almost like an allergic reaction.
Chemotherapy
Fungal and Bacterial Infections - impetigo and tinea capitis.
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