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Hair Loss Health Center

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Hair Loss Health Center

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Who Is Affected by Hair Loss

The most common cause of hair loss is inherited hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)-you inherit the tendency to go bald from either or both of your parents. About 50% of all people have this type of hair loss by about 50 years of age.^1,²

Hair loss may affect children as well as adults. Certain diseases, medications, or scarring can cause hair loss. Alopecia areata, which is hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease, affects about 1% of the population and occurs in children and adults.³ A fungal infection called ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is very common in children and can also cause hair loss.

Recommended Related to Hair Loss

Drug-Induced Hair Loss

Medications are designed to treat a variety of health conditions, but sometimes they can have unwanted side effects. Certain drugs can contribute to excess hair growth, changes in hair color or texture, or hair loss. Drug-induced hair loss, like any other type of hair loss, can have a real effect on your self-esteem. The good news is that in most cases, it's easily reversible once you stop taking the drug.

Read the Drug-Induced Hair Loss article > >

Citations
Habif TP (2010). Hair diseases. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, 5th ed., pp. 913-935. Edinburgh: Mosby Elsevier.
Thiedke CC (2003). Alopecia in women. American Family Physician, 676(5): 1007-1014.
Whiting DA (2006). Disorders of hair. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 2, chap. 13. New York: WebMD.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Last Revised	June 4, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 04, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.