Hair disease

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Hair disease refers to a broad category of conditions that affect the hair follicle, hair shaft, or the area surrounding the hair. These conditions can lead to hair loss, changes in hair texture, or other cosmetic and health issues.

Types of Hair Diseases[edit | edit source]

There are several types of hair diseases, including:

  • Tinea capitis: Also known as ringworm of the scalp, this is a fungal infection that causes hair loss and scaling.
  • Trichotillomania: This is a psychological condition in which a person pulls out their own hair.
  • Hirsutism: This condition is characterized by excessive hair growth in areas where hair is usually minimal or absent, such as the face and chest in women.
  • Hypertrichosis: This condition is characterized by excessive hair growth over and above the normal for the age, sex and race of an individual, in contrast to hirsutism, which is excess hair growth in women.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Hair diseases can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, certain medications, stress, and underlying health conditions such as autoimmune diseases and thyroid disorders.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for hair diseases depends on the specific type of hair disease and its underlying cause. Options may include medication, surgery, laser therapy, and behavioral therapy.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Hair disease Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD