Common Cause Of Hair Loss Research Articles

Manejo de la alopecia androgenética en mujeres posmenopáusicas

Female androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss, affecting 50 % of women over their lifetime. The appearance of this condition is the cause of significant stress and psychological problems, making appropriate management important. Cases exist in which it is associated with hyperandrogenism. Here, we review the different clinical forms (diffuse, male-pattern, and Christmas-tree pattern), discuss the most appropriate laboratory tests (complete blood count, thyroid stimulating hormone, ferritin, prolactin, free and/or total testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), and the different treatments, including finasteride.

Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Postmenopausal Women

Female androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss, affecting 50% of women over their lifetime. The appearance of this condition is the cause of significant stress and psychological problems, making appropriate management important. Cases exist in which it is associated with hyperandrogenism. Here, we review the different clinical forms (diffuse, male-pattern, and Christmas-tree pattern), discuss the most appropriate laboratory tests (complete blood count, thyroid stimulating hormone, ferritin, prolactin, free and/or total testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), and the different treatments, including finasteride.

The natural history of androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss, affecting up to 80% of men and 50% of women in their lifetime. Genetic predisposition to the disease is well known but the responsible genes have not been identified. Polymorphism in the androgen receptor gene has been recently detected in AGA.(1) Although the role of androgens, and particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in causing the disease has been established for a long time, the natural history of AGA is still not completely understood. This paper reviews recent data about natural progression of the disease, as well as factors that may interfere with its course and long-term prognosis.

Using the Web as a Resource on Hair Loss

Summary Loss of hair (alopecia) is one of the most common symptoms of aging in men. The most common cause of hair loss in men is androgenic or androgenetic alopecia, often referred to as male-pattern baldness. Current treatments include two drugs, Rogaine and Propecia, which have been shown effective for hair regrowth and prevention of further hair loss; surgical hair transplantation; and cosmetic options. Many patients turn to the Internet for health information, and Web sites dedicated to hair loss products and clinics abound. Consumer health sites, pharmaceutical sites, and professional organizational sites dealing with hair loss are reviewed, including sites that are appropriate for physicians and health care providers, as well as consumers.

Shedding: How to manage a common cause of hair loss

Shedding: How to manage a common cause of hair loss

Management of androgenetic alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia is by far the most common cause of hair loss. It affects approximately 50% of men by the age of 50 and 20 to 53% of women by the age 50. Although it is a medically benign condition, it is a significant psychosocial issue for many patients. Various different treatment options are now available for androgenetic alopecia. The best treatment option for women with androgenetic alopecia Ludwig stage I and II is minoxidil 5% solution. If it is not effective after 1 year, antiandrogens can be tried, but there are no large studies showing their efficacy and they have considerable adverse effects. Also, for patients with alopecia that is unresponsive to treatment or with Ludwig stage III, hair transplantation can be offered if the occipital donor area is sufficient. For men, we always offer minoxidil or finasteride therapy and leave the choice of therapy to the patient. Some patients may prefer a systemic agent, whereas others may favor a topical agent. If the condition is not stabilized after 1 year or if the patient wants greater hair density, hair transplantation can be discussed. There have been tremendous advances in the treatment of hair loss in recent years and the future is very encouraging. As our knowledge of androgenetic alopecia pathophysiology increases, novel targeted treatments will potentially be developed.

Diagnosis: alopecia areata or not?

Alopecia areata is a common cause of hair loss in children and adults. In most cases, the diagnosis is straight forward and is easily made based on the patient's history and clinical presentation. However, in two specific scenarios, the diagnosis can be difficult and may require a scalp biopsy. We present four cases that illustrate these two problematic differentials: alopecia areata versus trichotillomania in adolescent females; and diffuse alopecia areata versus telogen effluvium versus androgenetic alopecia in adult women. Tables compare and contrast the clinical and histopathologic features of these nonscarring localized and diffuse alopecias.

HAIR DISEASES

A few common causes of hair loss account for the vast majority of cases. A well-directed history and simple physical examination is often sufficient to make a diagnosis. Laboratory testing is often unnecessary. A scalp biopsy can be useful, but only if processed and interpreted correctly. Androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, senescent alopecia, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, trichotillomania, and cosmetic hair damage are common causes of non-scarring alopecia. Discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planopilaris, and central, centrifugal scarring alopecia are the most common forms of scarring hair loss.

Focal and Generalized Alopecia

Focal or generalized alopecia is defined as hair loss affecting the ventral, lateral, perineal, and dorsal aspects of the trunk of the cat, usually in a symmetric pattern. This may be attributable to failure of hair coat production, excess loss of hair due to self trauma, or excess shedding of whole hairs. Self trauma is the most common cause of hair loss and is associated particularly with flea allergy dermatitis. Other causes of hair loss are reviewed.

A Case Study: Massage, Relaxation, and Reward for Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata, a common cause of hair loss, is generally considered the consequence of an autoimmune process. Both physiological and psychological factors have been implicated. Previous studies have not incorporated behavior modification in their treatment designs. In this study, three treatment techniques (hair massage, relaxation procedures, and monetary reward) were applied to a 16-year-old male with a five-year history of alopecia areata. Comparison for seven months without treatment versus seven months with treatment showed that loss of hair was markedly reduced after three months of treatment. During the last four months of the study, new hair growth was evidenced.

Infectious Alopecia in a Child Day-Care Center

To the Editor.— Tinea capitis is a common cause of hair loss and seborrheic dermatitis in children. Recent reports have suggested an increase in the rate of recognition of tinea capitis, as well as a shift from the previously more common etiologic agent Microsporum sp to the now prominent Trichophyton tonsurans . 1 This change in causative agents is important in that Microsporum sp is transmitted primarily from animal to man with frequent spontaneous resolution in humans while Trichophyton is transmitted person to person and infection may follow a chronic course without appropriate therapy. In view of these considerations and the growing number of children in day-care centers, it should be expected that the association of tinea capitis and day-care attendance will merit more attention. Report of a Case.— A Birmingham, Ala, child day-care center having an enrollment of 78 children aged 1 to 4 years reported that five children developed