Hair Loss (Alopecia)

Your symptoms will differ depending on the type of alopecia you have. Hair loss symptoms, which may be permanent or temporary, can include:

• clumps of hair falling out 

• excess shedding in the bath or shower

• excess hair on your hairbrush

• thinning hair, often on the crown of your head or near your temples

• a more visible scalp 

• widening of your parting

• recession of your hairline

• patches of hair loss, usually around the size of a 10p coin

• loss of all of your head hair

• loss of all or some of your facial and body hair, including your eyebrows, eyelashes, underarm, leg, and arm hair

Alopecia occasionally comes with other symptoms, although this is rare. Symptoms could include:

• itchy skin where your hair has been lost

• red, purple, brown, or grey skin where the hair has been lost

• visible hair follicles on your skin

• black dots on your skin

• hairs that are thicker at the ends

• white hair growth

• dents or pits in your nails that feel gritty or crumbly

It’s not fully understood exactly what causes every type of alopecia. But it’s usually linked to one of these factors:

Hereditary

Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness) can run in your family as a hereditary condition.

Hormones

Hormonal changes are the most common cause of hair loss. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as pregnancy, childbirth, using birth control pills, or menopause.

In androgenetic alopecia cases, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a type of androgen that causes your hair follicles to shrink in diameter over time. Eventually, they shrink completely and stop producing hair.

A medical condition

Androgenetic alopecia in men has been linked to coronary heart disease, an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, insulin resistance (such as diabetes and obesity), and high blood pressure. In women, it has been linked to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where your body mistakenly attacks your hair follicles. This could happen due to genetics or in response to a virus or another substance. 

Hair loss could also be triggered by other conditions, including injury, illness, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, ringworm (a scalp infection), or trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder).

Medication

Certain medications, including some that are used to treat cancer, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure, can also trigger hair loss.

Stress

It’s thought that thinning or loss of hair can happen a few months after a shocking or stressful life event. However, more research is needed to directly link the condition to stress.

Risk factors

Anyone can be affected by alopecia, but you are at greater risk if:

• you have a family history of the condition

• you or any of your family members have an autoimmune disorder, such as diabetes, lupus, or thyroid disease

You’ll see your consultant for an initial consultation. They’ll ask you to share your medical and family history and symptoms, and will conduct a physical examination of your scalp or other affected areas. 

They may be able to make a diagnosis based on this alone. However, if they suspect your hair loss isn’t due to androgenic alopecia, they may need to run further investigations. This could include looking for signs of infection, conducting blood tests, and taking a sample of your hair or scalp to check for underlying conditions.

The results from these tests will help your consultant make an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan for you.

It’s not possible to prevent alopecia, although some treatments may help with your symptoms.  

Rarely, the affected areas of your skin can become infected. If your skin becomes red, purple, grey, white, irritated, or swollen, it’s important to get it checked out and treated to prevent further complications.

Usually, alopecia doesn’t cause any harm to your physical health. However, if it’s left untreated and unmanaged, it can have a real impact on your emotional wellbeing, confidence, body image, and mental health. 

Your treatment options will depend on the factors that are causing your hair loss. Your consultant will recommend different treatments to either help grow back the hair you’ve lost or slow down or prevent further hair loss. 

Treatments may include: 

• supplements

• products to be applied to your scalp

• oral medications

• surgical options, including hair transplantation

Your consultant will discuss your options with you and recommend the best possible treatment depending on the type and extent of your hair loss.

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.