Table of Contents
The doctor first needs to evaluate the reason why someone is loosing hair. After that, depending on the type of hair loss, treatments are available. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine than you are using right now. Recognizing and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss, and correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss. Medicines may help slow or prevent the development of common baldness, such as minoxidil (brand name Rogaine). This medicine is available without a prescription and is applied to the scalp and both men and women can use it. Another medicine is finasteride (brand name Propecia). This one is available with a prescription, it comes in pill form, and can only be used by men. However, you must know that it may take up to 6 months before you could tell if one of these medicines was working.
If adequate treatment is not available for your type of hair loss, you may consider trying different hairstyles or wigs, hairpieces, hair weaves or artificial hair replacement, depending on personal preference.
Home care for hair loss
Hair loss from menopause or childbirth often returns to normal 6 months to 2 years later, but for hair loss caused by illness such as fever, radiation therapy, or medication use, no treatment is necessary. The hair will usually grow back once the illness has ended or you finish with your therapy. You might desire a wig, hat, or other covering until the hair grows back.
Hair transplants performed by a physician is a surgical approach to transferring growing hair from one part of the head to another part. It is somewhat painful and expensive, but usually permanent for most patients. Hair weaves, hair pieces, or changes of hair style may disguise hair loss and this is generally the least expensive and safest approach to hair loss. Hair pieces should not be sutured to the scalp because of the risk of scars and infection that are reported. However, it is important to know when you should call your health care provider. Call your doctor if you are losing hair in an atypical pattern, if you are losing hair rapidly or at an early age, or if you have any pain or itching associated with the hair loss. It is also important to report the doctor if the skin on your scalp under the involved area is red, scaly, or otherwise abnormal, if you have acne, facial hair, or menstrual irregularities, or if you are a woman with male pattern baldness.