Skin

Hair Disorders

Hair disorders encompass a variety of conditions affecting hair growth, structure, and scalp health. These include androgenetic alopecia (male/female pattern baldness), telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and tinea capitis among others. Hair loss affects millions of people and can have significant psychological impact.

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Symptoms

6

Causes

6

Treatments

3

Prevention

Condition Overview

Understand key symptoms, causes, diagnosis options, and treatment pathways for Hair Disorders. This overview is intended for patient awareness and should be followed by specialist consultation.

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Symptoms

  • Gradual thinning on top of head
  • Circular or patchy bald spots
  • Sudden loosening of hair
  • Full-body hair loss
  • Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp

Causes

  • Genetics (androgenetic alopecia)
  • Hormonal changes
  • Medical conditions (alopecia areata, thyroid disease, iron deficiency)
  • Medications and supplements
  • Stress
  • Hairstyles and treatments

Diagnosis

  • Physical examination
  • Blood tests
  • Light microscopy of hair shaft
  • Scalp biopsy

Treatment

  • Minoxidil (topical or oral)
  • Finasteride
  • JAK inhibitors (for alopecia areata)
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
  • Hair transplant
  • Treating underlying cause

Risk Factors

  • Family history
  • Age
  • Significant weight loss
  • Certain medical conditions
  • Hormonal changes

Prevention

  • Gentle hair care
  • Nutritional balance
  • Stress management

Prevalence

Androgenetic alopecia affects about 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States.

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Nail Disorders

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