Hair Loss

Am Fam Physician. 2009;80:356

Diagnosing and treating hair loss.

Mounsey AL, Reed SW.
edited and modified for hair loss blog

Physicians should be not underestimate the impact of hair loss on some patients. Hair loss may present as focal patches or as more diffuse loss. Ths may include predominant hair thinning or increased hair shedding. Focal hair loss can be further broken down into scarring and nonscarring. Scarring alopecia is best evaluated by a dermatologist. Focal hair loss can be diagnosed by appearance and examination for fungal agents. A biopsy may be necessary if the cause of hair loss is unclear. Alopecia areata presents with smooth rounded hair-less patches....snip.... Male and female pattern hair loss both have recognizable patterns and can be treated with topical minoxidil, and also with finasteride in men. Sudden loss of hair is usually telogen effluvium, but can also be diffuse alopecia areata. In telogen effluvium, once the precipitating cause is removed, hair regrowth will likely occur.

Regrowth of hair loss