My hair is falling out: what can I do?

Hair loss can be gradual thinning, extra shedding, or clearly defined bare patches. The change may follow an illness, major stress, weight change, medication change, or hormonal shift, while inherited hair loss tends to develop slowly. The pattern and scalp appearance help distinguish these possibilities.

Diffuse shedding across the scalp can occur with telogen effluvium after a physical or emotional strain. Receding temples or a widening part may fit male or female pattern hair loss. Smooth round patches can occur with alopecia areata. Scale, broken hairs, tenderness, or swollen areas can point toward scalp ringworm or another scalp problem. Tight styles, extensions, or repeated pulling may contribute to traction alopecia.

Take a clear photo of the part, hairline, and any patch, then repeat it in the same lighting so change is easier to judge. Record when shedding began and any recent fever, surgery, stress, diet change, or new medicine. Use gentle washing, avoid tight hairstyles and harsh chemical processing, and do not scratch or pick the scalp. A clinician can examine the scalp and decide whether blood tests or treatment such as finasteride is appropriate for your situation.

Book an appointment promptly for sudden loss, expanding patches, scalp pain, marked redness, pus, crusting, or broken hairs with scale. Seek urgent help if hair loss occurs with facial swelling, breathing difficulty, faintness, or a severe allergic reaction. Otherwise, arrange a dermatology review when shedding continues, returns repeatedly, or causes visible thinning.

Could the pattern suggest telogen effluvium, inherited loss, alopecia areata, infection, or traction? Does my scalp need testing? Which treatments fit my health history, and what side effects or follow-up should I expect?