Speak To a Doctor Online About Hair Loss

Luscious, thick hair is a dream for many. People undergo protein treatments and take good care of their hair to keep it looking healthier and shinier for longer. And so, when the signs of excessive hair loss start showing up, it’s understandable that many start to panic.

Whether you’ve started noticing hair strewn all over your house, or your hairbrush has been coming out with bunches of hair every time you brush, it can be a stressful time. However, it is important to notice that it is normal for the average human head to lose up to 100 hair strands per day, which are quickly replaced by new hair growing through the more than 100,000 follicles on the scalp. The problem arises when you start losing more than 100 hair regularly and this hair is not being replaced by new ones, which in turn causes thinning and balding.

Hair loss is one of the many reasons why people choose to speak to a doctor online through Prime Medic. If you’re also concerned, read on to find out the possible causes of this condition, the common treatments suggested by most doctors and when to speak to a doctor.

Causes of Hair Loss

There are several reasons why you may suddenly start losing hair, including:

• Hereditary hair loss: For many people, hair loss is just a part of their genetic makeup. This is the most common type of hair loss worldwide and usually affects men more than women. In hereditary hair loss, often called male or female pattern hair loss, the hair follicles gradually shrink over time and at some point stop growing hair.
• Age: Another common reason for hair loss is age. As you get older, your hair follicles start shrinking, causing the hair on the head to thin and for the strands to lose colour.
• Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases like Alopecia areata, Lupus, Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis, Psoriasis and Crohn’s Disease target the body’s immune system, which may cause hair loss.
• Major stress: Pregnancy and childbirth, major illness, surgery or sustained periods of stress can all cause hair loss. As your body struggles to adjust to the stressors, you may notice clumps of hair falling out which can increase stress levels in some people. Usually, when the stressors go away, the hair loss gets better on its own.
• Scalp infections: Ringworms, folliculitis, piedra, seborrheic dermatitis are all types of scalp infections that can cause hair loss.
• Hormonal imbalances: In women, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or certain types of contraceptives can cause hormonal imbalances which can lead to hair loss.
• Side effects of medication: Certain medications can also cause hair loss. If you’re suspicious that your medication might be causing your hair loss, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about it before you stop taking your medication.
• Lack of nutrients: For many people, hair loss is caused by a lack of specific nutrients in their diet. These include iron, biotin, protein or zinc.
• Others: Other causes of hair loss include cancer treatments, scarring alopecia, certain hairstyles, hot-oil hair treatments, hair styling tools and more.

Treatment of Hair Loss

As you can see, there are several reasons for the loss of hair. As such, treatment depends on what the underlying cause of your hair loss is. Your doctor will ask you a number of questions to determine the causes, including but not limited to:

• Did anyone in your family lose hair early in life?
• Your medical history
• What medications you are currently taking
• Did you recently go through a stressful period in your life?
• Your standard diet on an average day.

If you are choosing an online appointment, you may also be asked to take pictures of your scalp and send them through to the doctor for them to determine if your hair loss is being caused by external factors like fungal infections.

Depending upon the underlying reason behind your hair loss, you may be asked to:

• Include certain nutrients or supplements in your diet,
• Avoid tight hairstyles such as ponytails or braids,
• Avoid heat tools like straighteners and hair dryers,
• Take some new medication or change your existing ones,
• Undergo therapy if your hair loss is being caused by depression or prolonged stress,
• Change your existing medication.

When to speak to a doctor online about hair loss

If you have been noticing a sudden increase in the number of hair strands falling out of your head and it doesn’t get better after some time or have noticed thinning or balding spots appearing on the skin, it might be a good idea to get in touch with an online doctor. Speaking to a doctor online about your hair loss is not only more convenient than organising an in-person visit, but you might even be more inclined to continue treatment when you don’t have to reorganise your schedule to make your appointments. Not sure if your hair loss requires medical treatment? Have a quick live chat with a doctor at Prime Medic to determine if you need to book an appointment.