Baldness or hair loss is usually refers to excessive hair fall from one's scalp. Often adults face the problem of baldness. However, in some cases, teenagers also lose their hair, too - and it can be a sign that something wrong is going on.

Baldness during teenage years can be a sign that a person may be ill or following a poor diet. Some medications or health problems, such as chemotherapy treatment for cancer, can also be responsible for hair loss. In some cases, people lose their hair because of their hairstyle that pulls on the hair for a long period, like braids.

Losing hair can be really disturbing for people who are concerned about their overall looks. A majority of people choose to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden. While there are others who may take every step to conceal their baldness - be it with various hairstyles, makeup, hats, scarves etc. In the recent few years, medications and surgical procedures have gained a lot of popularity.

Symptoms of Hair Fall

Reasons for hair lose may vary from one person to another, depending on the causes. Hair Fall may occur suddenly or slowly, and may affect your scalp as well as your entire body. The problem can be temporary or permanent. Check out few symptoms of Baldness:

Gradual thinning on top of head: It is probably among the one of the most common types of hair fall, affecting both men and women of all ages. Men begin to lose their hair from the forehead in a line that looks like the alphabet M. Women often keep a line of hair at the forehead, but experience a widening of the part in their hair.

Circular or patchy bald spots: Few people get smooth bald spots, often nearly an inch (2.6 cm) across. In such cases, the scalp is affected, but it may also occur in beards or eyebrows.

Sudden loosening of hair: Hair fall is common among people who are facing some physical or emotional shock. Bunch of hair may come out while combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. People suffering from sudden loosening of hair face overall hair thinning, rather than bald patches.

Full-body hair loss: Medications or medical treatments, like chemotherapy for cancer, may cause the loss all over your body. The hair generally grows back once the treatment ends.

Causes of Baldness

Usually, a majority of people lose 50 to 100 hairs daily. But with around 100,000 hairs in the scalp, this amount of loss shouldn't result in obvious thinning of the scalp hair. As you grow older, hair tends to slowly thin. Factors like hormonal changes, medical conditions and medications are also responsible for fall.

Hormonal factors: The most common cause of fall is hormonal changes and imbalances. It may result in temporary fall and could be because of pregnancy, discontinuation of birth control pills or the beginning of menopause.

Medical conditions that can cause hair loss:

Thyroid problems: We all know that the thyroid gland assists control hormone levels in the body. However, if the gland is not working correctly, fall may occur.

Alopecia areata: This health problem arises when the immune system of the body attacks hair follicles -- triggering smooth, roundish patches of loss.

Scalp infections: Infections like ringworm may also attack the hair and skin of your scalp, causing hair loss. If infections are treated, hair usually grows back.

Medications: Hair loss is common in people who use drugs to treat serious health problems like cancer, arthritis, heart problems, high blood pressure etc.

A physical or emotional shock: Some people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. It can be as little as sudden or extreme weight loss, a high fever, or as big as a death in the family.

Tips to Avoid Hair Loss:

You must follow a well-balanced nutritious diet.
Tight hairstyles like braids, buns or ponytails must be avoided.
Do not compulsively twist, rub or pull your hair.