To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• If you are concerned about hair loss or thinning, when did you last have what you consider a normal head of hair?
• Do you have a family history of hair loss?
• What are your hair care habits?
  • How often do you wash your hair?
  • Do you use hot rollers, a hair dryer, or a curling iron?
  • Have you had a recent permanent or used a hair color product?
  • Do you regularly use elastic bands, barrettes, or bobby pins?
• Questions for women:
  • Are you using a hormonal birth control method?
  • When was your last menstrual period?
  • Has your baby stopped breast-feeding within the past 6 months?
• What nonprescription and prescription medicines, including vitamins, have you taken in the last 6 months?
• Have you had any recent illness or surgery?
• Do you have any skin disorders or chronic illnesses?
• Have you had this problem in the past? If so, how was it treated? Did the treatment help?
• Have you recently lost more than 10 lb?
• Do you think you may have been exposed to head lice or ringworm?
• Does anyone in your family have similar symptoms?
• Do you have any health risks?