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Hair loss is diagnosed through a medical history and physical examination. Your health professional will ask you questions about your hair loss, look at the pattern of your hair loss and examine your scalp, and may tug gently on a few hairs or pull some out.
The most common cause of hair loss, inherited hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), is easily recognized. Men tend to lose hair from the forehead area and top of the head with normal amounts of hair on other areas of the scalp. Women tend to have the same amount of thinning of hair throughout the scalp.
To determine the cause of your hair loss, your health professional may ask you about:
- Characteristics of your hair loss. Is your hair thinning, with your scalp becoming more visible, but your hair is not noticeably falling out? Or is your hair shedding, with lots of hair falling out?
- How long your hair loss has been occurring. How long has it been since you had your normal amount of hair?
- Your family history of hair loss. Does your mother or father, brother or sister, or any other relative have hair loss? If so, what caused their hair loss?
- Your hairstyling habits. Has your hair become fragile from pulling it too tight or from other hairstyling habits? Have you had any chemical treatments to your hair, such as perms or bleaching? Do you use a blow-dryer that may be too hot? Is a curling iron damaging your hair?
- Any recent illness. Have you had any skin rashes, such as ringworm, recently?
- Medications you are taking. Are you taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) or medications for arthritis, depression, or heart problems? Have you had any cancer treatment?
- Your diet. Are you getting enough protein and iron in your diet?
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