| name: | Baldness |
| also known as: | Male Pattern Baldness; Female Pattern Baldness; Alopecia; Bald; Androgenic Alopecia |
| also see: | Alopecia; Alopecia Areata; Telogen Effluvium; Hair Loss; Hair Transplant; ICD |
| description: | Baldness is gradual loss of hair, that occurs in a distinctive pattern, as one ages, determined by genetic factors as well as hormonal factors with male testosterone (androgens) facilitating loss and female estrogen preventing loss. Male pattern baldness often begins in the 3rd or 4th decades (20s-30s). In males, loss begins in the front hairline hairline receding backwards as well as on the top. In females, loss is more of a thinning throughout the top of the head sparing the front hairline. In women who develop male pattern baldness or in whom hair loss is abnormal or associated with hair growth elsewhere, acne, abnormal menstrual periods, work-up is necessary, such as for ovarian cancer. |
| signs & symptoms: | In men, hair loss is on the top of the head and the temple areas, whereas in females loss is on the top only |
| diagnosis: | Based on signs and symptoms. Differential diagnosis includes alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, tinea capitis, other causes of hair loss, secondary syphilis. |
| treatment: | Treatment varies and can include wearing a wig or a toupee, to topical minoxidil medication cream that might help stimulate hair growth in about 1/3 cases, or the drug propecia. Propecia also called finasteride helps prevent further hair loss. Surgical hair transplant is also available. Herbal treatment for hair loss, also called alopecia, might include ginkgo, black cohosh, echinacea or green tea. |
| prevention: | None |
| outcome: | Not curable. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the person has a sudden hair loss, or, if the person is too young to have balding, or, if the loss is patchy |
| go to: | Go to the doctor |
| if: | If the person would like a hair problem Internet Resource |
| go to: | Go to American Hair Loss Council www.ahlc.org/ |
| if: | National Alopecia Areata Foundation www.alopeciaareata.com/ |
| go to: |
Last updated 8/3/2008