Alopecia (Hair Loss)

Hair loss, or alopecia, can be caused by a number of factors. This includes autoimmune conditions, stress, genetic factors, and more. As an experienced dermatologist, Dr. Liz Damstetter understands hair loss and how patients can restore healthy hair or minimize their alopecia symptoms. If you live in or near Glenview, Illinois, and are experiencing hair loss, schedule an appointment with Dr. Damstetter and the Reserve Dermatology team.

What is Alopecia?

Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss. Often, it is used to refer to alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes the hair to fall out, either in patches or throughout the entire hair and body. However, alopecia can also refer to other types of hair loss, including androgenic (male or female pattern baldness), traction alopecia (hair loss from repetitive tense or tight hairstyles), or telogen effluvium (hair loss due to a medical condition, medication or stress).

What Causes Alopecia?

The cause of alopecia depends on the type of alopecia you are experiencing.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This means that it is caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking hair follicle cells, causing the hair to fall out.

Androgenic alopecia is caused by genetics, follicular aging, or hormonal imbalances.

Traction alopecia is caused by damaging hairstyles, such as frequently wearing tight ponytails or braids.

Other types of damaging treatments such as frequently dyeing or chemically processing the hair or frequently heat styling the hair can also cause hair loss.

Telogen effluvium is caused by illness, medications, stress or certain medical conditions.

Alopecia is more common among those with a family history of hair loss or other medical conditions, thyroid disease, uterine fibroids, anemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), nutritional deficiencies, and more. Cancer treatments can also result in hair loss.

Alopecia Symptoms

Most alopecia patients will first notice hair thinning or loss on the scalp. However, hair loss can also occur in the eyelashes, eyebrows, beard area, or virtually anywhere on the body. Patients may also notice thinning or receding hairlines.

Alopecia may occasionally manifest with rashes, itching, or discomfort. Hair shedding or visible thinned areas are often the primary symptoms. In rare cases, alopecia patients will notice redness, pitting, or brittleness in the nails. These nail symptoms may cause pain or discomfort, but are not common.

View Dr. Damstetter’s Healthy Hair Goals Products

Alopecia Diagnosis and Treatments

Because a number of conditions can contribute to hair loss, a full history and exam are crucial to understanding why hair loss may be occurring. Often laboratory testing is recommended to determine whether you have hair loss from an underlying medical condition. This may include blood tests to check for other immune disorders or hormonal imbalance. On occasion a scalp biopsy may be recommended to determine a more specific type of hair loss.

Treatment for alopecia depends on the precise cause of your hair loss, the degree of hair loss, your age, and other factors. Some options include:

• Topical corticosteroids
• Corticosteroid injections
• Oral corticosteroid (prednisone)
• Minoxidil (Rogaine)
• Oral hormone therapies including oral contraceptives and spironolactone
• Oral finasteride or dutasteride
• Contact or topical immunotherapy
• Methotrexate
• JAK inhibitors such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

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Schedule an Appointment

To learn more about alopecia treatment options, schedule an appointment with Dr. Damstetter. Call Reserve Dermatology in Glenview, IL or contact us online.