Hairfall is a common condition that can affect both men and women. It can be temporary or permanent and usually occurs due to hormonal changes, certain medical conditions or as a normal part of ageing.
It’s not always easy to trace the root cause of hairfall as it is often associated with multiple factors. Hairfall does not occur overnight, it happens gradually. Therefore, it is often difficult to identify the condition at an early stage.
One of the keys to identifying hair loss at an early stage is to learn about the common signs of balding and take appropriate action.
It helps prevent further hair loss and manage any underlying conditions resulting in hairfall.
Early Signs of Hairfall
1. A receding hairline. The most obvious sign of hair loss is a noticeable change in your hairline. It is clearly visible and it mostly begins with a mildly receded hairline which gradually turns into an M-shape.
Women typically retain the hairline on the forehead but mostly notice a reduced fullness of their ponytail.
For most individuals, it begins around the temples and the crown and starts with hair thinning rather than total hair loss.
2. Excessive hair loss after showering or brushing. Losing hair while showering or brushing your hair is normal. You usually lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. If you notice large amounts of hair falling every day for a long time, then make sure to seek professional advice.
However, if you start to notice an excessive amount of hair falling out throughout the day, then it can indicate a problem.
3. Noticeable thinning of your hair. This is a common sign of hair loss that affects both men and women and usually occurs as a sign of ageing. It can also affect your eyebrows, eyelashes and beard.
Hair thinning can be noticed all over your body in some cases. Some may experience diffuse hair thinning that can affect the entire scalp or specific areas of the scalp, resulting in bald patches. The easiest way to spot hair thinning is to compare photos from different time periods.
What you should know is that a temporary hairfall, that may occur for a few days, isn’t necessarily a cause of alarm.
4. A Widening Part. Widening of the part on the top of your head is a common sign of hairfall. It is more evident in women than men. It can be easily noticed while combing or tying your hair daily.
5. Circular or Patchy Bald Spots. Some people experience smooth, coin-sized bald spots. This type of hair loss usually affects just the scalp, but can sometimes involve the beard and the eyebrows.
In some cases, the area of the skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
Patches of scaling can spread over the scalp, and it may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing from the lesions. This is common in the case of scalp infections.
Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.