11 Diseases That Cause Hair Loss in Men and Women

While the list of medical conditions plaguing humankind is literally unending, diseases that cause hair loss in men and women can surely be documented with ease. As a leading non-surgical hair replacement systems brand, we continuously work on creating awareness about hair fallout and conditions that lead to it.

Today, Lordhair will talk about diseases that are a major cause of hair loss globally. From the introduction to causes, symptoms, and treatments, we will try to touch upon everything in a brief manner. Let’s get started right away:

 

Diseases that cause hair loss

If you are feeling sick and seeing many bald spots, thinning, or hair breakage, the following diseases might be the reason:

 

#1 High blood pressure

High blood pressure and low blood pressure - both are increasingly common medical conditions nowadays. While both lead to health complications, high blood pressure is linked to hair loss. Better known as hypertension, it's a common disease that is caused by the tightening of tiny arteries called arterioles.

Dermatologists state that if you are seeing a lot of broken hair while taking a bath or combing along with other symptoms, it could be a sign of an increased risk of hypertension. Higher levels of testosterone and other hormones are also causes of high blood pressure-related hair loss.

Quick medical attention is advised to safely recover from this condition that also causes hair loss.

 

 

#2 Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that makes the strands on the scalp fall out in small patches. This condition develops when our white blood cells mistakenly attack hair follicles cells, causing them to contract and drastically decrease hair production. Alopecia areata is a widely known disease that causes hair fallout.

This autoimmune disease makes the scalp hair fall out in groups (around the size of a quarter). For some men and women, alopecia areata hair loss is nothing more than a few, unnoticeable bald patches. However, for others, it can be really extreme. Topical medications like corticosteroids can help control alopecia areata at an early stage.

 

#3 Lupus

Another disease that causes hair loss in men and women. Lupus is an autoimmune illness in which your body’s immune system progresses towards being hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. In other words, our immune system is not able to differentiate between unwanted substances, antigens, and healthy tissues.

Although it majorly affects women, men have also reported encountering this hair loss disease in recent decades. Currently, there is no cure for this autoimmune disease. However, people can handle lupus flares and symptoms by adjusting their lifestyle and seeking medical support.

 

Everything you need to know about lupus hair loss.

 

#4 Rheumatoid Arthritis

We know what you are thinking. “Doesn’t rheumatoid arthritis affect joints?” Yes, you are right but in some cases, it disrupts other bodily functions as well. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks body tissues and joints.

This autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease could also impact other parts of the body including skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, and human hair follicles. Some scientists say that RA medications also trigger hair loss in men and women. Seek quick medical attention to recover from this disease.

 

#5 Depression

Yes, you read it right. Depression can cause hair loss in men and women. Although it directly impacts emotional and mental well-being by disrupting hormonal balance, physical symptoms like fatigue, aches, pains, and digestive problems can also manifest. Hair loss is also another symptom of depression.

Depression could trigger three different types of hair loss: telogen effluvium, hair-pulling disorder, and alopecia areata (the autoimmune disease we talked about earlier). We suggest seeking medical and mental health support if your hair problem is getting worse over time. Certified professionals are able to lend support through emotional discomfort and adopt self-care practices that can help overcome this disease.

 

 

#6 Thyroid

The thyroid is a gland that plays a crucial role in supporting different bodily systems. It releases and controls thyroid hormones that control metabolism and various other critical functions. When your thyroid produces either too much or too little of these hormones, it leads to diseases like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Severe and prolonged hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause loss of hair strands. One may lose hair in a diffused pattern on the entire scalp. Medications like levothyroxine, propylthiouracil, and beta-blockers are known to be effective in treating thyroid-related diseases.

 

#7 Iron-deficiency anemia

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body including living tissues inside hair follicles. Anemia is a hair loss disease that affects the production of healthy RBCs. One of the most common types of anemia is iron deficiency anemia.

According to a report by Korean Medical Science, iron deficiency in a human body may lead to hair loss. In men, it could lead to bald spots on the crown of the head or a receding hairline. For women, it usually causes thinning of hair along the part line followed by diffuse hair loss.

Iron-deficiency anemia can be treated by taking iron supplements and getting iron intravenously along with Vitamin C. The easiest way to overcome this disease that causes hair loss is by consuming iron-rich foods.

 

#8 Psoriasis

Since our readers may not be aware of this hair loss disease, let’s start with the definition. Psoriasis is a condition that develops when our body makes skin cells too quickly, causing skin cells to pile up and form visible patches or small spots on our scalp.

When psoriasis develops on the scalp, hair loss sometimes follows. Top hair experts recommend patients avoid picking off the patches because it may cause more flareups. Get a medicated shampoo to wash your scalp regularly and get rid of this disease that causes hair loss.

 

 

#9 Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp involving both the skin and hair. Also known as ringworm of the scalp, it causes hair loss typically in children but can also be prevalent in adults. This disease is often caused by dermatophytes, a parasitizing fungus that thrives on the dead tissues of the scalp.

Recovery from tinea capitis can take 4 to 6 weeks. However, if initial symptoms are ignored, the recovery time is stretched further. Lordhair suggests consulting a dermatologist if you see small or large patches with small dots on your scalp.

 

Learn about causes and treatments for tinea capitis in detail.

 

#10 PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disease common among women of reproductive age. Ladies with this hormonal disorder have higher chances of developing health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and excessive hair loss.

Hair loss during PCOS takes place mostly due to excessive androgenic hormones. Treatments like metformin can help women in managing the metabolic effects of insulin resistance in PCOS and reduce the risk of hair loss. Don’t ignore the hair loss caused by this disease!

 

#11 Cancer

Cancer is a serious health problem caused by alterations in the DNA within human body cells. It results in the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body while the existing cells haven't finished their lifecycle, leading to new, strange cells.

Although cancer itself isn’t the reason for hair loss in men and women, the treatment (chemotherapy majorly) used to cure this fatal disease disrupts hair lifecycle and growth. Treatments like minoxidil and scalp cooling can help you minimize hair loss caused by such therapies.

 

 

Above are some diseases that cause hair loss in both men and women. While losing hair to these conditions is nothing but scary, they can be reversed if detected and treated in time. In case it's too late, going for quick hair recovery options like hair toupees and wigs can help.

Lordhair has been helping men and women in over 100 countries fight hair loss triggered by diseases like cancer, lupus, and alopecia areata. Browse our extensive catalog of hair piece toupees and wigs for women to discover the perfect hair recovery solution.

 

Got any queries to ask? Send them to support@lordhair.com and have them answered by our hair experts.

 

Further reading on hair loss conditions:

Relationship between antibiotics and hair loss

Everything about genetic hair loss

Discover amazing wigs for men for quick recovery