Skin Conditions
Most men have some degree of baldness by age 60. After age 60, 50% of women do.
Signs & Symptoms
* Thinning of hair on the temples and crown.
* Receding hair line.
* Bald spot on back of head.
* Areas of patchy hair loss.
Causes
* Normal aging. Family history of hair loss. Hormonal changes, such as with menopause.
* A side effect of some medicines, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Crash dieting.
* A prolonged or serious illness. Major surgery. Thyroid disease.
* Areata. This causes areas of patchy hair loss. It improves quickly when treated, but can go away within 18 months without treatment.
Treatment
* Medications. These include over-the- counter Rogaine and prescribed ones.
* Hair transplant with surgery.
Questions to Ask
Self-Care / Prevention
* Try the over-the-counter medication, Rogaine.
* Avoid (or don’t use often) hair care practices of bleaching, braiding, cornrowing, dyeing, perming, etc. Avoid hot curling irons and/or hot rollers. Use gentle hair care products.
* Air dry or towel dry your hair. If you use a hairdryer, set it on low.
* Keep your hair cut short. It will look fuller.
* Don’t be taken in by claims for products that promise to cure baldness.
Resources
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine