Hair thinning and hair loss: Home Doctor & Self Therapy

Temporary hair loss often occurs after an illness or period of stress, or because of a skin infection such as ringworm. Chemical hair treatments, and hairstyles and hats that pull on the hair, can contribute to the problem. Some drugs and long-term illnesses cause hair loss, and women may lose hair temporarily after childbirth. Permanent hair loss is usually hereditary and can begin to affect men as early as in their twenties. Women who inherit the trait develop thin hair later in life but do  not usually become bald.

See your doctor first

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You have been losing hair rapidly or in patches in recent weeks
● You think your hair loss may be due to a medication or an illness
● You are pulling your hair out

What you can do yourself

There is little you can do to prevent hereditary hair loss, but treatments may reverse some of its effects. For temporary hair loss, try the following to slow hair thinning and encourage regrowth.
● Fad diets and crash diets may contribute to hair loss. Make sure you include plenty of protein and iron in your diet (see NATURAL REMEDIES, below).
● Avoid using hair dyes and treatments to perm or straighten your hair. They contain chemicals that may make hair brittle and liable to break at the roots.
● Don’t wear your hair in a style that pulls on your scalp, or wear a cap or hat continuously unless you have to wear headgear for your work.
● Let your hair dry naturally if possible, rather than using a hair dryer. Don’t pull on your hair with a brush or comb when it is wet.
● If your hair is thinning, a good haircut can make a difference. Short, blunt cuts can make hair appear thicker. Some men prefer to cut their hair very short, or shave it off, to disguise a receding hairline.
● If you are in the early stages of hereditary hair loss, you can try a preparation containing minoxidil that may restore hair (see DRUG REMEDIES, below).

NATURAL REMEDIES

Protein and iron Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, including hair. Make sure about one sixth of your total calorie intake is made up of foods such as meat, fish, cheese, and nuts. Iron also helps maintain healthy hair, so eat plenty of iron-rich foods such as grains, beans, fish, poultry, meat, and leafy green vegetables.

DRUG REMEDIES

Minoxidil preparations can slow down or prevent hereditary hair loss in a proportion of men and women. The treatment is applied twice daily and needs to be used continually, since its effect starts to wear off as soon as it is stopped. You may have to wait for up to a year before you notice any improvement. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
Using minoxidil: Apply the lotion to areas of hair loss using an applicator and spread it with your fingertips.