Are you facing excessive hair fall and don’t know what to do next? Don’t worry, we’ve got you.
What are the symptoms?
Following are a few red flags that you should look out for:
- Sudden or unexplained hair loss
- Large amounts of hair loss
- Hair loss with itching, redness or pain
- Hair loss with other symptoms, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue or swollen lymph nodes
- Hair loss that may be related to a medication
- Acne on the face and excessive hair growth on the chin or side burns along with hair loss on the scalp will indicate in hormonal imbalance
If you show any of the above signs, we suggest you consult a dermatologist (doctor who specializes in skin and hair care.)
What to expect when you consult a dermatologist:
1) When you go to a dermatologist they will want to know whether the hair loss happened suddenly or gradually.
2) A dermatologist also will ask what medicines you take, what allergies you have, and whether you have been dieting.
3) They take your medical history, run blood tests and may even do a scalp biopsy.
Treatment your dermatologist may prescribe:
Biotin: It is the most commonly prescribed drug. It plays an important role in the health of hair, skin, and nails.
Minoxidil: This medicine is applied to the scalp. It can stop hairs from getting thinner and stimulate hair growth on top of the scalp.
Spironolactone & birth control pills: Doctors will first prescribe finasteride before giving spironolactone. If finasteride doesn’t work then spironolactone is prescribed. In cases where excess male hormones (androgens) are the cause of hair loss, prescription medications such as spironolactone and birth control pills. Spironolactone works by binding to androgen receptors and decreases the body’s processing of testosterone, a male hormone.
Ketoconazole: Prescription ketoconazole shampoo is used to help reduce the production of male hormones, such as testosterone, that contribute to hair loss.
Corticosteroid: If your hair loss is caused by inflammation in your body, a dermatologist may inject a medicine called a corticosteroid into your scalp. This can help stop the inflammation that happens when a person has bald patches.
Hair transplantation: Skin on the scalp that has good hair growth is removed and transplanted to areas of the scalp that need hair.
References:
Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/treating-female-pattern-hair-loss
