Health Conditions That May Cause Hair Loss: What to Look For
Most people assume genetics are to blame for a growing bald spot, but it might be a sign of a health issue instead. Learn how your health affects your hair.
Over 50 million men in the United States suffer from noticeable hair loss. The percentage of those affected grows substantially as one ages.
Given the scope of alopecia and the fact that most men tie a tremendous amount of their confidence into their hair, millions scour the internet each day to try and figure out why they’re experiencing hair loss.
The most common answer you’ll get to your hair loss question is heredity. What many men may be surprised to learn though is that in many cases, hair loss can be tied to your health.
Below, our team outlines some of the most common health-related reasons for a bald spot in hopes that you’ll be able to better assess where yours is stemming from.
1. Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that can develop in the scalp which can then cause hair loss. If you participate in activities that put you in frequent skin to skin contact with other humans or animals, you have a higher risk of contraction.
Ringworm is typically characterized by a red, circular rash.
2. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a skin condition in which hair follicles contract a bacterial infection. This infection can lead to a hair follicle becoming inflamed, red, and for hair to fall out.
If left untreated folliculitis can permanently destroy a hair follicle.
If you have a history of severe acne, have infection inhibiting diseases like HIV or regularly wear clothes that trap heat on your scalp like a hat, you are at a higher risk of contracting Folliculitis.
3. Supplements and Medication
Sometimes your medical condition may not be causing hair loss but your treatment for that condition is. For that reason, if you noticed that your hair loss correlates to your starting a new type of medication or supplement routine, you will want to discuss side-effects with your physician.
Many times, hair loss is a rare side effect of certain medications that, when experienced, can be swapped out for other medications that can offer you the same health benefits without the side effects.
4. Exposure to Radiation
If you’re managing certain kinds of cancers that require exposure to radiation for treatment, hair loss is to be expected.
The American Cancer Society states that hair loss is difficult to predict when in radiation treatment but for most, will occur within 2 weeks of starting treatment.
5. Stress
Rounding out our list of medical-related causes for a bald spot is stress. Stress can be constantly present in our lives. While some people manage their stress well, others internalize it to the point that it can cause health issues that lead to hair loss.
If you suspect that high levels of stress may be affecting your bald spot, talk to your doctor or psychologist to begin exploring coping strategies. The sooner you can manage your stress, the sooner your hair can start experiencing a resurgence.
Wrapping Up How Your Health Might Be Causing Your Bald Spot
Above we’ve shared 5 health-related conditions and treatments that could be causing your bald spot. If you suspect that your baldness is being caused by anything we’ve talked about above, discuss your suspicions with your primary care physician.
Coping with hair loss can be a tremendously taxing experience. The good news is that our team can help.
At Zang, we help men take their lives back from hair loss by providing industry-standard micropigmentation procedures that help simulate the look of a fashionable buzz cut over a bald scalp.
Check out what our customers have to say about our work and feel free to contact us today for any questions.