• Find a Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Give Now
  • Login
Ochsner Health
  • About Ochsner

    Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.

    Learn More

    About Ochsner

    • Mission & Vision
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Outcomes & Honors
    • News & Media
    • Alumni
    • Ochsner Health Network
    • Contact Us

    Community Outreach

    • About Community Outreach
    • Classes & Events
    • Programs
    • Community Health Needs Assessment
    • Discovery Health Sciences Academy

    Health Resources

    • All Health Resources
    • Healthy State
    • To Your Health Blog
    • Golden Opportunity
    • Ochsner Magazine
  • Patients & Visitors

    Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities.

    Learn More

    I need to…

    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment
    • Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment
    • Pay a Bill

    Services & Resources

    • Patient Services
    • COVID-19 Visitor Policy
    • Billing & Financial Services
    • Insurance Information
    • Language and Translation Services
    • Share Your Story
    • Read Patient Stories

    MyOchsner

    • About MyOchsner
    • How to Use MyOchsner
    • Patient Login
    • New Patient? Sign Up
  • Specialties & Treatments

    Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty.

    All Specialties

    Featured Specialties

  • Research & Education

    Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. And as the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges.

    All Research All Education

    Research

    • All Research
    • Clinical Trials
    • Clinical Research
    • Translational Research
    • Outcomes and Health Services Research
    • Nursing Research
    • Research Opportunities
    • Collaboration Resources

    Education

    • All Education
    • UQ-Ochsner Clinical School
    • Clinical Medical Education
    • Graduate Medical Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • Medical Library
    • Publishing Services
    • Medical Illustrations
  • Careers

    Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner.

    Visit Careers

    Find the Career for You

    • Careers at Ochsner
    • Why Work Here
    • Search Jobs
    • Benefits
    • Locations

    Career Paths

    • Physicians
    • Allied Health
    • Non-Medical Professional
    • Management & Leadership
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Research, Fellowships & Residencies
    • Advanced Practice Providers
  • Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.

    Learn More

    About Ochsner

    • Mission & Vision
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Outcomes & Honors
    • News & Media
    • Alumni
    • Ochsner Health Network
    • Contact Us

    Community Outreach

    • About Community Outreach
    • Classes & Events
    • Programs
    • Community Health Needs Assessment
    • Discovery Health Sciences Academy

    Health Resources

    • All Health Resources
    • Healthy State
    • To Your Health Blog
    • Golden Opportunity
    • Ochsner Magazine
  • Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities.

    Learn More

    I need to…

    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment
    • Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment
    • Pay a Bill

    Services & Resources

    • Patient Services
    • COVID-19 Visitor Policy
    • Billing & Financial Services
    • Insurance Information
    • Language and Translation Services
    • Share Your Story
    • Read Patient Stories

    MyOchsner

    • About MyOchsner
    • How to Use MyOchsner
    • Patient Login
    • New Patient? Sign Up
  • Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty.

    All Specialties

    Featured Specialties

  • Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. And as the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges.

    All Research All Education

    Research

    • All Research
    • Clinical Trials
    • Clinical Research
    • Translational Research
    • Outcomes and Health Services Research
    • Nursing Research
    • Research Opportunities
    • Collaboration Resources

    Education

    • All Education
    • UQ-Ochsner Clinical School
    • Clinical Medical Education
    • Graduate Medical Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • Medical Library
    • Publishing Services
    • Medical Illustrations
  • Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner.

    Visit Careers

    Find the Career for You

    • Careers at Ochsner
    • Why Work Here
    • Search Jobs
    • Benefits
    • Locations

    Career Paths

    • Physicians
    • Allied Health
    • Non-Medical Professional
    • Management & Leadership
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Research, Fellowships & Residencies
    • Advanced Practice Providers
    • Find a Doctor
    • Find A Location
    • Schedule An Appointment
    • Give Now
    • Patient Login
    Call: 1-866-624-7637
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Hair loss

Why is My Hair Falling Out?

Mar 30, 2021 |
By Jessica Chu, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can occur at any age and when it happens, it can be devastating. While some hair loss is temporary, some can be permanent. That’s why it’s essential to talk to a dermatologist to help prevent hair loss and possibly regrow the hair that has been lost.

What causes hair loss?

On average, people can lose up to 100-150 strands of hair per day. Alopecia is diagnosed when a person loses more than 150 hair strands per day. This is typically identified as hair falling out or breakage of the hair shaft.

There are many causes of alopecia. According to “Dermatology” by Jean Bolognia, MD, the most common type of hair loss is telogen effluvium, which is the shedding of hair on top of the scalp. This condition is associated with systemic diseases (diseases that affect the whole body) or certain types of medications. Your hair can fall out after having a baby, severe illnesses such as thyroid abnormalities or viral infections, major surgeries or significant weight loss. While many medicines can cause hair loss, the most common ones include isotretinoin, which is used to treat acne; anticonvulsants; and antithyroid medications or the discontinuation of oral contraceptives.

Another common type of hair loss is alopecia areata. This pattern presents as coin-shaped bald patches of hair on the scalp, eyebrows or beard. Alopecia areata is commonly associated with thyroid diseases, vitiligo and inflammatory bowel disease. Sustained high-stress levels also lead to this pattern of hair loss.

Alopecia can also be hereditary, such as androgenetic alopecia, which is male or female pattern hair loss. In men, a receding hairline is common. In women, there is typically a widespread thinning of the hair, especially where the hair parts.

Typically, your dermatologist will obtain a thorough history and an in-depth examination of the scalp hair to determine the cause. A scalp biopsy to examine the hair follicles at a microscopic level can also be informative.

Treating hair loss

The first step to treating alopecia is to determine the cause of the hair loss. Once the cause is determined, your dermatologist will lay out a treatment plan. If the alopecia is due to a systemic disease or medication, treating the abnormality or changing the medication may improve your hair’s state. Below are a few examples of treatment options that can be used depending on the cause of alopecia.

  • Minoxidil: This is available in topical and oral forms. The topical version may be purchased over the counter. The most common side effect is scalp dryness or irritation. Worsening of hair loss may be seen within 4-6 weeks of treatment but this usually resolves with continued treatment.
  • Finasteride: This is available in topical and oral forms. Common side effects include decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. Continued use of this medication is required to sustain regrowth and stopping treatment will result in hair loss.
  • Spironolactone: This is available in oral form. This medication works by binding to the androgen receptors and inhibiting androgen production. Androgen is the hormone that, if in excess, can lead to hair loss. The most serious common side effect is retaining potassium. It is advised that patients avoid any potassium supplements while on this medication.
  • Corticosteroids: This is available in oral, topical and injection forms. The severity of the condition typically dictates which forms your dermatologist will offer.
  • Hair transplantation: This is a surgical procedure that can yield permanent, natural-looking results.

Haircare tips

While it is important to seek treatments early, it is crucial to adopt hair practices to prevent damaging your hair. Make sure to avoid using harsh hair products. Excessive bleaching, dying hair or perms can cause the hair to become brittle. Frequent use of heat from blow-drying or straightening of hair can cause microscopic bubbles within the hair shaft and lead to breakage. It is also recommended to limit tight hairstyles, such as braids or ponytails that tug the hair root.

If you are experiencing hair loss, please consult with your dermatologist to help you maintain and promote healthy hair.



Tags
hair loss

You may also be interested in:

Man checking his hairline
Conditions & Treatment
August 5, 2022

Hair Loss: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatments

There are many factors that can contribute to hair loss, and you should be aware of the signs and causes so you can talk to your doctor about best next steps.
By Houston Bonnyman, MD
Getty Images 918555712 720x481 de33d6bb a33b 45b1 9176 49eb9874b9ba
Prevention & Wellness
August 5, 2022

Do Gummies for Hair Growth Work?

We’ve all seen the celebrity-endorsed ads on our social channels for hair gummies promising to make your hair grow. But do they actually work? We break down the benefits, or lack thereof, of these increasingly popular gummies.
By Linda McElveen, MD
Hair dye
Prevention & Wellness
August 5, 2022

Can Hair Dye Increase Your Risk for Breast Cancer?

A new study suggests permanent hair dyes and chemical straighteners may increase the risk of breast cancer in women.
By Zoe L. Larned, MD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips newsletters, delivered to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide