Symptoms of Hair Loss - signs of hair loss

Alopecia (this is the medical term of hair loss) is caused by many reasons, as already explained in this article and as it can be expected, its symptoms are also many and of course, not all of them are present in all cases. Though there is no direct relationship between the cause and the symptoms of hair loss, there are some signs that are more typical for one cause than for another. Also, there are gender-specific symptoms because hair loss in men and women follows a slightly different scenario.

But before we go on with the symptoms of hair loss, it is necessary to clarify what is normal and what is not. First, hair loss means losing excessive amounts of hair, so when you see a hair or two falling from your head, this is hardly a reason for panicking. It is pretty normal if you see hair falling, when you comb your hair or when you wash it. Actually, it is natural to lose about 100 hairs a day. If you didn't lose your old hair, there would be no way for the new hair to grow. So, when you comb your hair and see a small bunch of hairs, this is normal.

However, if you see thick bunches of hair on your comb and this happens all the time, then you might have a reason to worry. Still, sometimes even a handful of hairs is normal, if your hair is in the process of active regeneration. But if the handful of hairs at each combing does not disappear after a week or so, this is one of the first symptoms of hair loss.

You may want to try to pull a small bunch of your hair to see if it requires an effort to pull it. Normally, if you pull your hair slightly, it will not fall but if it falls easily when you pull it gently, then you might also consider a visit to the dermatologist.

Another symptom that you might be losing hair is if you notice that your hair is becoming thinner. This holds true especially for women, while the typical male hair loss pattern is more of the shedding type. Gradually thinning translates into bald spots on your head and your hair starts falling in patches. The tempo of losing hair depends on many factors - for instance are you in the menopause or not, have you recently given birth, do you have any hormonal imbalances, have you taken any medicines or hair care products that cause this, etc. Chances are that your hair loss is temporary and can be reversed by proper treatment.

The next, quite visible symptom, of hair loss is when you see bald spaces on your head. The shape of these bald spaces is the main difference between men and women. Men tend to lose hair on the front hairline and forehead and on top of the head, while women generally lose hair at the crown and in small patches all over their head. In men the “horseshoe pattern” is often visible and eventually only hair around the ears, the sides and the back of the head remains. This kind of hair loss is due to hormonal reasons and is hereditary, so if your father and grandfathers had had it, it is no surprise that you have it as well.

Sometimes hair loss does not affect only the head but the hairs all over the body. But rest assured - this is an extremely rare disease! Well, you might find it unfair that you lose hair on your head but the hairs all over your body are still staying intact but actually there is not much you can do about it.