As part of the usual growth cycle, it is normal for hair to fall out a little every day. In most people, the hair that falls out continues to grow fully and grows back. Hair loss (alopecia) can affect only the scalp or the whole body and can be temporary or permanent. It can occur as a normal consequence of heredity, hormonal changes, stress, illness or ageing. Hair loss is a very common condition. Although it is more common in older adults and men, anyone, including children, can experience this problem. Hair loss can develop gradually over years or occur suddenly. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from the scalp. The most common cause of baldness is hereditary hair loss that occurs with aging. Some people allow hair loss to continue untreated, while others try to hide it with different hairstyles, hats, make-up, or prevent it with treatment such as hair transplant. Before starting body hair loss in men treatment, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor about the cause of hair loss and treatment options.
Are you trying to figure out if you are really losing your hair or if what you are experiencing is a normal process? Are you wondering if it is time to sek medical help? Read for more about body hair loss in men and how to manage it.
Causes of Body Hair Loss in Men
It is considered normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day. Since there are approximately 100,000 hairs on the human head, this number does not make any difference. Depending on the underlying cause of hair loss, it can be temporary or permanent. Normally, hair loss is replaced by new hair, but this does not always happen and in such a case baldness occurs.
Among the main causes of body hair loss in men, it is possible to count the following:
1. Diabetes
Hair loss can be a symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can cause hair thinning and hair loss in some people, as it can have effects such as impairing hair growth, causing more hair to grow than normal or stopping new hair growth. In addition, if the blood circulation in your feet and legs is not sufficient, the hair below your knees may start to fall out. Body hair loss in men can usually be reversed with medication and controlling blood sugar levels.
2. Autoimmune Disorder
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease, can cause hair to thin or stop growing. In alopecia areata, the person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles and makes it difficult for the hair to grow, sometimes also attacking the person’s nails. Bald patches may appear on the head or other parts of the body. Body hair loss in men or women can occur on any part of the body where hair grows, including the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, arms or legs. This attack rarely destroys the hair follicles, as the hair follicles are still working, it is possible to regrow hair using medication.
3. Stress
If a person is under too much pressure or after experiencing a physical or emotional shock, the follicles may enter a resting phase. Within a few months, thinning or loss of hair strands can be observed. This is referred to as tоlogen сefluvium, and is usually temporary. It is also possible that intense stress can trigger autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata. In a condition called trichotillomania, a person may also pluck their own body hair in response to stress.
4. Hormonal Imbalance
Hair loss can occur in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a women’s health condition that affects hormone levels. PCOS can lead to hirsutism, which is characterized by excessive hair growth in places where women do not normally grow hair. Hair may appear on the face, chest, or chin. In some cases, extra androgens, so-called male hormones, can also cause this.
5. Thyroid Condition
If hair loss is accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss/gain or dry skin, it is useful to consult a doctor. The cause of these problems experienced by the person may be a thyroid problem. Medication can help the thyroid to function properly and regrow hair, but this may take several months. In rare cases, anti-thyroid medication may cause hair loss. In such a case, the doctor may change the medication.
6. Genetic Hair Disorders
The most common cause of hair loss is an inherited condition that occurs with ageing. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable ways. Another condition is hypotrichosis, which is characterized by a person being born with sparse, thin and brittle body hair. The condition may remain stable over time, or in some cases the person may go bald or continue to lose body hair.
7. Too Much Vitamin A and Selenium
It is important to take the right vitamins and minerals not only for hair health but also for general health. As with everything else, it is important not to overdo it in this case. According to research, excessive intake of vitamin A and selenium can cause body hair loss in men and women.
Symptoms of Body Hair Loss in Men
There may be many different reasons underlying the problem of hair loss. It may occur suddenly or follow a slow course. It can be seen only on the scalp, or it can affect the whole body. Symptoms of hair loss and body hair loss differ between men, women, and children.
Symptoms of hair loss in men include the following:
- Thinning hair on the scalp.
- Hairline regression.
- Horseshoe-shaped pattern leaving the crown of the head exposed.
- Circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows.
Symptoms of hair loss in women include the following:
- General hair thinning, especially on the crown of the head.
- Sudden thinning of the hair.
- Scaly flakes spreading to the scalp.
- Recession of the hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia), often seen in older women.
Symptoms of hair loss in children and young adults include:
- Sudden hair loss.
- Complete loss of all hair on the body.
- Broken hair strands and localized hair loss on the scalp and/or eyebrows.
- Excessive hair loss after various diseases and drug treatments, rapid weight loss, anemia, or stress, but not complete baldness.
Prevention
Most body hair loss in men and women is of genetic origin. It is not possible to prevent this type of hair loss. However, some of the tips we give below can help you avoid avoidable hair loss:
- Treat your hair gently, use a hair detangler, do not tug your hair when brushing and combing.
- Avoid abrasive treatments such as hot curlers, curling irons, and perms.
- When using rubber bands or hairpins or braiding your hair, take care not to squeeze your hair too tightly.
- Protect your hair from sunlight and other ultraviolet light sources.
- Some studies show an association between smoking and baldness, especially in men. Do not smoke.
- In chemotherapy treatment, using a cooling cap can reduce the risk of hair loss.
