Hair Loss: Diagnosis and Treatment

    September 2024 in “ PubMed
    MaryAnn Dakkak, K. Forde, Howard Lanney
    Image of study
    TLDR Hair loss can be treated based on its type and cause, improving quality of life.
    More than 80 million people in the United States are affected by hair loss, or alopecia. Nonscarring alopecias are categorized as diffuse, patterned, or focal. Diffuse alopecias, such as telogen and anagen effluvium, are usually self-limited and depend on addressing the underlying cause. Patterned hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia, is the most common form and is typically genetic, with minoxidil as the first-line treatment and oral finasteride available for male patients. Focal hair loss includes alopecia areata, treated with intralesional corticosteroids or oral immunosuppressants; tinea capitis, treated with oral antifungals; and traction alopecia, treated by reducing hair tension. Hair loss can also result from systemic diseases, and a thorough history, physical examination, and targeted laboratory tests can identify causes like malnutrition, autoimmune diseases, and endocrine disorders. Patients with moderate to severe hair loss often experience anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Educating patients about hair changes, treatment options, and realistic outcomes is crucial for their well-being.
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      community How uninformed the general public is about hair loss

      in Chat  317 upvotes 1 year ago
      The conversation highlights the general public's lack of knowledge about hair loss, with various ineffective remedies suggested, such as not wearing hats or using hair fibers. The only effective treatments mentioned for male pattern baldness are medications like minoxidil and finasteride, and hair transplants.

      community Still receding at 8 months on finasteride?

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  21 upvotes 3 weeks ago
      The user has been using oral finasteride, oral minoxidil, topical minoxidil, and microneedling to address hair loss but continues to experience recession after 8 months. Suggestions include being patient as treatments can take 12-18 months to show effects, considering a switch to dutasteride, and consulting a dermatologist for potential underlying scalp conditions.
      If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

      community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

      in Research  830 upvotes 1 year ago
      Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

      community Losing Hair on Dutasteride? You might have LPP

      in Research/Science  97 upvotes 5 months ago
      Men with hair loss might have lichen planopilaris (LPP), which can mimic androgenetic alopecia, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment with finasteride or dutasteride. Proper diagnosis, including biopsies, is crucial to distinguish between androgenetic alopecia and conditions like LPP.

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