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If you recognise any of the symptoms, consult a medical professional to check if they indicate any underlying medical condition.
significant and ongoing hair loss may be a reason for alarm. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Hair has always played a significant role in defining a person’s identity and sense of self. Losing a little hair every day is perfectly acceptable as it’s a natural part of the body’s cycle to replenish your tresses. On the other hand, significant and ongoing hair loss may be a reason for alarm.
Wondering how you can tell if your hair loss is a sign of a more serious condition? These five signs can indicate that your hair loss is abnormal and requires care.
Bald areas or noticeable thinning
When noticeable thinning or spotty bald areas appear on your head, hair loss becomes a cause for concern. These changes are not merely cosmetic; they could indicate diseases like androgenetic alopecia, also referred to as female-pattern or male-pattern baldness, or alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack hair follicles.
For women, the first sign is often a noticeable decrease in the width of the ponytail or a broadening of the hair part. See a dermatologist or trichologist right away if you can see more of your scalp than normal, particularly around your crown or hairline.
A scalp that is flaky, itchy, or irritated
The health of your hair is closely related to the condition of your scalp. Unusual hair loss may be caused by infections, dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis, or even scalp psoriasis, all of which can be indicated by an itchy, red, swollen, or flaky scalp.
Strong, healthy hair growth cannot be supported by your follicles if the environment around your scalp is impaired. It’s necessary to see a dermatologist and stop using sporadic anti-dandruff shampoos if your scalp is itchy all the time or if you experience flaking and hair loss.
Excessive and abrupt hair loss
Sudden hair loss may indicate a problem, particularly if you see big clumps of hair falling out, whether you’re washing, combing, or even just running your fingers through your locks. This is particularly true if there is a sharp rise in hair loss in a matter of days or weeks.
This condition, known as telogen effluvium, is frequently brought on by stress, illness, hormonal changes that occur after pregnancy, fast weight loss, or significant lifestyle changes. It’s time to look into this more if your pillow and bathroom floor start to get covered in strands.
Hair does not regrow
It is common to notice occasional hair loss, but new hair naturally develops in its place. Something is wrong if you have been losing hair for months and you don’t see any follicles growing back along your scalp or hairline. Your hair follicles may be dormant or inactive as a result of thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances, nutritional inadequacies, or even long-term stress if you are not seeing any new growth.
If the thinning doesn’t go away over time, keep an eye out for any additional symptoms that might be connected, such as weight gain, exhaustion, or changes in the menstrual cycle.
Hair breaks easily
Hair loss and breakage are not usually synonymous. Your hair is probably weak if your strands are breaking in half instead of dropping out from the root. Too much heat exposure, bleaching, colouring, or styling can cause damage that breaks your tresses before they have a chance to grow.
Hair strands can also be weakened by inadequate nutrition and protein deficits. Your hair may require a thorough rehabilitation that includes deep conditioning, protein-rich masks, and a reprieve from harsh treatments if you observe split ends, rough texture, or shorter, broken locks.
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