Genetics|Genetics
Antidepressants and other medicine|Antidepressants and other medicine
Most antidepressants list hair loss as a possible side effect. Though it's rare, it's difficult to tell whether it's the antidepressant or the reason you're taking the antidepressant (stress, depression, illness—all of which can cause hair loss) that brought about noticeably thinning hair. The only way to truly tell is to stop taking the antidepressant or switch to a different one. Either way, make the decision only in consultation with your doctor.
|
Most antidepressants list hair loss as a possible side effect. Though it's rare, it's difficult to tell whether it's the antidepressant or the reason you're taking the antidepressant (stress, depression, illness—all of which can cause hair loss) that brought about noticeably thinning hair. The only way to truly tell is to stop taking the antidepressant or switch to a different one. Either way, make the decision only in consultation with your doctor.
Eczema, psoriasis and other skin issues|Eczema, psoriasis and other skin issues
Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can sometimes cause hair loss, either by creating conditions for excessive itching or for compromising the follicle from which hair grows. Treatments for these conditions, such as salicylic acid, can also cause thinning hair or excessive breakage.
|
Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can sometimes cause hair loss, either by creating conditions for excessive itching or for compromising the follicle from which hair grows. Treatments for these conditions, such as salicylic acid, can also cause thinning hair or excessive breakage.
Anemia|Anemia
Hair loss is often one of the symptoms of anemia. This iron deficiency also often causes fatigue, brittle nails, shortness of breath and frequent infections, and shows up in women of child-bearing years, pregnant women and those who have recently had a baby. It's easy to test iron levels, so talk to your doctor if you show one or more signs of anemia.
|
Hair loss is often one of the symptoms of anemia. This iron deficiency also often causes fatigue, brittle nails, shortness of breath and frequent infections, and shows up in women of child-bearing years, pregnant women and those who have recently had a baby. It's easy to test iron levels, so talk to your doctor if you show one or more signs of anemia.
PCOS|PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, an endocrine disorder where women produce an excess of male hormones, can cause weight gain, facial hair and fatigue, in addition to male pattern hair loss. There are some treatments to reverse or lower the rate of hair loss, though it's more important to understand whether you have PCOS in the first place.
Menopause
Like PCOS, menopause causes the production of male hormones to increase for women. This increase can have the effect of increasing the amount and thickness of facial hair, while decreasing both for the hair on a woman's head. But it's not always hormones that cause thinning hair in menopausal women; sometimes it's a lack of nutrients, lack of sleep or stress.
Overprocessing
Dyeing, straightening, perming and highlighting hair is typically safe and comes without a downside. But too much processing can cause hair to thin. Women whose hair has undergone years of processing or daily styling with heat should try out buffer hairstyles, if thinning has become an issue. Instead of processing and reprocessing, take a break every couple of appointments and just get a cut.
