Causes of Alopecia ?

Alopecia can have many causes, including genetics, diseases and infections, and improper hair care. Some of the causes of hair thinning and hair loss on the whole scalp include the following:

• Stressful conditions, physical or emotional, such as illness or surgery

• Prolonged fever

• Childbirth

• Hormonal problems, such as thyroid disease

• Drug treatment for cancer

• Some prescription medicines

• Unknown causes

With these disorders, the hair loss usually happens three to four months after the illness or stressful event. After a while, the hair grows back completely.

Local hair loss in one or more small parts of the scalp can be caused by any of the following:

• Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss; the cause is unknown)

• Traction alopecia (tight hairstyles such as cornrows or pigtails)

• Trichotillomania (repeated hair pulling or nervous hair twisting or twirling)

• Tinea capitis (ringworm or fungal infection)

The most common kind of alopecia is androgenetic alopecia (Say: an-droh-jen-et-ick al-oh-pee-sha). This hair loss causes a receding hairline and lack of hair on the top of the head. This balding usually is inherited.

Common balding also can affect women. These women may have a hormonal imbalance. In women, this kind of balding leads to hair thinning over the entire scalp.