8 Early Signs Of Alopecia, Diagnosis, And How To Deal With It

Natural hair loss is a common occurrence, but that does not mean we should embrace it. The good news is you can detect early signs of alopecia or hair loss. In other words, you can potentially stop any imminent hair loss. Common signs of this condition include fragile nails and sparse eyebrows. But what else might signal a hair loss crisis? Read this article to learn more.

Spotting The Early Signs Of Hair Loss

According to The American Academy of Dermatology Association, it is normal to lose 50-100 strands of hair every day (1). But, according to anecdotal reports, there are a few warning signs you should look out for if you suspect you are losing more hair than usual:

• Sudden Or Excessive Hair Loss

If you notice excess hair on your brush or clogging the drain regularly, it is recommended to consult a doctor. This early diagnosis can help in preventing or slowing down further hair loss.

• Receding Hairline

Loss of hair along the hairline

in men is an early sign of alopecia. Just pull your hair back from the forehead to check your hairline. If it looks further back than usual along the front or around the temples, it means your hairline is receding.

• Hair Thinning

Hair thinning

is another sign of alopecia. If you notice sparse hair on the top of your head or circular patches of thinning hair, it could be the start of alopecia.

• Thinning Ponytail

Sudden or excessive hair loss usually results in loss of hair volume. Women experience hair loss all over the scalp. So if your ponytail is looking thinner than usual, or you can see your scalp through your hair, it is time to see a healthcare provider.

Pro Tip

Embrace heat-free styles like braids or twists, preserving your hair’s natural texture and minimizing the risk of heat-induced damage and hair loss. Opt for cloth scrunchies or soft hair ties to minimize stress on your hair, reducing the risk of damage that may aggravate the condition.

• Bald Patches

If you are losing patches of hair suddenly accompanied by itching or a burning sensation, you need immediate medical attention. Scalp tenderness or losing clumps of hair can indicate an underlying infection. For instance, in a ringworm infection, you will experience patchy scales on your scalp along with redness, swelling, and hair loss.

Hannah, a blogger, writes about her battle with chronic illness, alopecia, and her life in her blog. She shares her experience in her post for alopecia awareness month. She wrote, “My relationship with alopecia began when I was twenty and found a small coin shaped patch at the back of my head. At that point I wasn’t too worried and after being reassured by the doctor that it would go away, I began to forget about it. However, it didn’t go away (i).”

• Patchy Beard

Men with one or more bald patches in their beard area can be at risk for alopecia.

• Sparse Eyebrows And Eyelashes

Losing hair from the eyebrows

, eyelashes, pubic area, beard, and other parts of the body is also considered an early sign of alopecia. Such full body hair loss is known as alopecia universal is. This can also happen due to cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

• Brittle Or Red Nails

If your nails have pits, craters, or small white spots or lines, it could be an early sign of alopecia. Red nails or brittle nails can also be a warning sign for hair loss.

These are a few tell-tale signs of alopecia. Spotting them on time can help you treat them quickly. Scroll down to learn more about this condition.

Do I Have Alopecia?

If you noticed two or more of the above signs, you must consult a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis. Physical examination, laboratory tests, and biopsy will determine if you have alopecia.

There are different types of hair loss, depending on your:

• Age
• Sex
• Genetic factors
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Hormonal imbalance
• Autoimmune reaction

The treatment will differ from one type of alopecia to another. Find out what causes this condition in the next section.

What Causes Alopecia?

Alopecia is often triggered by an autoimmune response where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. This can be influenced by genetics and environmental triggers such as stress, viral infections, and certain medications. When the immune system attacks the hair follicles, the confusion activates natural killer cells and releases certain proteins. These proteins cause inflammation and affect the normal hair growth cycle. The combination of these factors may increase the risk of developing alopecia areata (2).

Knowing the cause behind hair loss can help determine the treatment. Find out the different treatment options available for alopecia in the section below.

How To Deal With It?

There are different ways to deal with hair loss.

1. Medications: Some medications €“ such as minoxidil and finasteride €“ promote hair regrowth (3).
2. Therapies: Laser therapy and micro-needling can activate hair follicles and trigger hair growth (3).
3. Hair Transplant: You can use wigs or get a hair transplant to cover hair loss in extreme cases (3).
4. Diet: Following a healthy diet with adequate proteins and nutrients may help in reducing hair loss (3).

Pro Tip

Opt for caffeine-free herbal teas like chamomile or mint, which provide hydration without the diuretic effects of caffeinated beverages.

5. Hormone Replacement: If the hair loss is triggered by hormonal disturbances, you can consult a doctor for treatment (3).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is alopecia caused by stress?

Yes, alopecia may be caused by severe stress as research has established links between stress, hair loss, and autoimmune diseases (4), (5).

Can alopecia just be one spot?

Yes, alopecia may present as one balding spot on the scalp, eyebrow, or beard.

Is alopecia life-threatening?

While alopecia in itself is not a life-threatening disease, it may lead to severe psychological issues. Studies have shown an increased risk of death by self-harm, smoking-related diseases, and psychiatric diseases (6).

Watch the following video to explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments for alopecia. The video will help you gain insights into this condition affecting hair loss and share potential solutions to manage the condition.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

   

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.

Read full bio of Dr. Shruti Chavan

Annie JangamBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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