Medical Conditions That May Cause Oklahoma Hair Loss
When it comes to the use of hair pieces, wigs and related products, some of the most common clients in this realm are those who deal with hair loss. And while there are a number of things that may cause hair loss, from genetics to age and more, one of the single most frequent such causes is actually some kind of medical condition.
At Judi's Wigs, we're happy to offer the best selection of hair pieces, wigs and other products you'll find in Oklahoma. Many of our clients deal with hair loss to some level or another, and we're proud to assist them with identifying the ideal hair piece system for their needs. What are some of the top medical causes of hair loss? Let's over some of the most well-known conditions here in the past, plus what we know about the newer COVID-19 pandemic and its possible impact on hair loss.
Cancer and Cancer Treatment
Perhaps the most well-known medical condition that often leads to hair loss is cancer. More specifically, it's the cancer treatments themselves that often result in hair loss. This is because many cancer treatments are designed to target rapidly dividing cells.
Since hair follicle cells divide relatively quickly, they can become caught up in the crosshairs, so to speak. This is why hair loss is such a common side effect of chemotherapy. The good news is that the hair loss caused by cancer treatments is often only temporary. Once treatment has ended, the hair will typically grow back in.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a condition that causes patches of hair loss on the scalp or other areas of the body. In many cases, the hair will grow back in on its own, though this may take some time. In other cases, however, the hair loss may be permanent.
There are a number of different treatment options available for alopecia areata, including corticosteroids, minoxidil and immunotherapy. In some cases, a wig or hairpiece may be recommended as well.
Scalp Psoriasis
Another possible cause of hair loss is scalp psoriasis. This is a condition in which the scalp becomes inflamed, often resulting in scaly patches of skin. Scalp psoriasis can be uncomfortable and even painful, and it can also lead to hair loss.
There are a number of different treatment options available for scalp psoriasis, including topical treatments, light therapy and oral medications. A wig or hairpiece may also help to camouflage the hair loss.
Thyroid Disease
If the thyroid gland isn't functioning properly, it can lead to a condition known as hypothyroidism. This can result in a number of different symptoms, including hair loss.
Fortunately, treatment for hypothyroidism is typically quite effective. In most cases, taking synthetic thyroid hormone replacement pills will help to correct the problem and stop the hair loss.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis and HIV, can also lead to hair loss. In the case of syphilis, this is typically due to a secondary form of the disease known as neurosyphilis, which affects the nervous system.
With HIV, hair loss is often related to the virus itself as well as the medications used to treat it. In both cases, however, the hair loss is usually temporary and will stop once the infection has been treated.
Scarring Alopecia
Similar to alopecia areata, but typically more severe, is a condition known as scarring alopecia. This is a type of hair loss that results in scarring of the scalp, which can then lead to permanent hair loss.
Scarring alopecia can be caused by a number of different things, including certain infections, autoimmune disorders and even some cancer treatments. Treatment options will vary depending on the underlying cause, but may include topical treatments, oral medications or even surgery.
COVID-19
Finally, we come to the newest possible cause of hair loss on our list: COVID-19. While it's still too early to say for sure, there is some evidence that the virus may be responsible for hair loss -- but there's conflicting evidence here. Let's hit on a couple of the most important pieces to be aware of:
Temporary hair loss: After fairly normal events like fever or certain other illnesses, some of which are common symptoms of COVID-19, it's not uncommon for people to lose a bit of hair. This is usually nothing to worry about, as the hair will typically grow back in on its own within a few months. In fact, this form of hair loss is typically deemed "hair shedding," which signifies that more hairs are in this phase than normal. This phase can last for several months in some cases, and given how significant fevers and other symptoms can be with COVID-19, it's not hard to see how the virus could cause an increase in hair shedding.
Stress and hair loss: It's a simple reality that due to all the lives lost to COVID-19, having it can be a stressful experience. And while it's not fully understood how stress affects hair loss, we do know that in times of significant stress, some people may start to lose hair.
Autoimmune disease and hair loss: COVID-19 is an autoimmune disease, which means that it attacks the body's own cells. This can lead to inflammation and other problems, and one of the potential side effects of autoimmune diseases is hair loss.
In any case, it's still too early to say for sure how COVID-19 may be affecting hair loss. The good news is that even if the virus does turn out to cause hair loss, it's typically temporary and will grow back in on its own once the major symptoms have passed.
For more on the conditions that may cause hair loss, including COVID-19, or to learn about any of our Oklahoma hair pieces, wigs or other solutions for those in this position, speak to our staff at Judi's Wigs today.