Signs of Hair Loss

Seymour M. Weaver, III, M.D.

Board Certified Dermatologist

When hair loss occurs you may or may not be the ones who actually notices that it is occurring. There are times when your hair stylist or a relative happens to point out to you that hair is missing. Listed below are signs of hair loss and some of the conditions that can be associated with them.

1.Excessive shedding of hair with long strands of hair coming out by the roots with white tips on the end. This is typical of telogen effluvium.

2.Hair becomes dry, brittle, and weak and breaks in pieces. This can be associated with hypothyroidism or chemical hair damage.

3.Hair breaks off at the skin surface forming “black dots” in association with dry scaly patches is a sign of tinea capitis or ringworm infection of the scalp.

4.Hair breaks off leaving stubble in circular patches due to chronic itching and scratching is characteristic of neurodermatitis of the scalp.

5.Smooth areas of hair loss with circular bald patches occur with alopecia areata. Usually there are not symptoms, but occasionally there can be tingling or tenderness present.

6.Hair loss in patches with areas of red, brown, and white plus thickening and hardening of the skin and follicular plugs is found with discoid lupus and sometimes a condition called morphea.

7.Hair loss with areas of purple discoloration and thickening of the skin can be found with lichen planus of the scalp or lichen planopilaris.

8.Patchy areas of hair loss with a moth eaten appearance is considered to be suggestive of hair loss due to syphilitic infections.

9.Irregular patches of hair loss with hairs of variable length due to pulling and twisting is found with trichotillomania.

10.Thinning of hair with progressive miniaturization of the hair follicles resulting in vellus (peach fuzz like) hair is associated with androgenetic or hereditary pattern baldness.

For a complete and thorough evaluation of the multiple causes of hair loss you can consult a dermatologist. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best step to take to minimize the risk of permanent baldness.

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