We all lose hairs – up to 50 a day – but hair loss only becomes noticeable when fewer new hairs are produced to replace the lost ones. If hair falls out in patches, the condition is known as alopecia areata. If all the hair on the scalp falls out this is alopecia totalis. If all body hair is lost, this is alopecia universalis. The single most common cause of hair loss in men and women is androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is an unexplained response to the body’s production of androgens or male sex hormones but other causes can include fungal infections, thyroid problems, severe illness and the use of certain prescription medicines. Action must be taken immediately to better the chances of stopping hair loss.
