Hair loss

[C4U]

Dear Doctor,

Male:  Age 47 ;  No hair loss from Father's side  ; From Mothers side 2 uncles have hair loss.

Past 6-12 months experience receding hair line about 1/2 inch and less hair on the top of the head (about 85 % are good).

Q:  Is there any way to stop receding hairline and restore 1/2 inch lost ?

Q:  To grow hair do you suggest any medication without side effects or hair implant.

Thanks..

[C4U]

Male - 47 years - Generally in Normal health.

Hair loss on top - about 85 % okay ; Receding Hair line about 1 inch.

Inquired about Hair Implant - will need about 600-700 Grafts.

Was suggested after implant for 1 month I need to take certain Medication and then Twice a week for life long. Don't know the name of the Medication.

Q:  Do you know if there are any side effects of the Medication which is used after Hair Implant ; such as Sexual side effects or any others?

      What if I stop taking Medication after 2-3 months?

Thanks.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for this and then decide the cause and further plan of management.

A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.

Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.

Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A (if too much is taken), and antidepressants.

Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.

Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.