What to do about hair loss

Hair thinning at the crown or temples can occur with male pattern hair loss, while widening part lines can occur with female pattern hair loss. Diffuse shedding after illness, major stress, or a body change may fit telogen effluvium. Round smooth patches suggest alopecia areata; scale and broken hairs raise concern for scalp ringworm. Tight styles can contribute to traction alopecia.

Note when shedding began, where it appears, recent illness, medicines, diet changes, family patterns, and hairstyles that pull. Use gentle handling, avoid tight braids and repeated high heat, and do not scratch an irritated scalp. A dermatologist can examine follicles and decide whether testing or treatment is needed, including whether finasteride treatment is suitable for you.

Seek prompt review for rapidly expanding patches, scalp pain, pus, crusts, marked redness, heavy scaling, or loss of eyelashes or eyebrows. Arrange an appointment when shedding persists, keeps progressing, or affects your wellbeing, because the treatment path depends on the cause.

Ask what pattern is present, whether the scalp is inflamed, what reversible triggers should be checked, which treatment is appropriate, and how progress will be monitored.