Hair loss Health Article

What to expect at your health care provider's office

A careful medical history and examination of the hair and scalp are usually enough to diagnose the nature of your hair loss.

Your doctor will ask detailed questions such as:

• Are you losing hair only from your scalp or from other parts of your body as well?
• Is there a pattern to the hair loss like a receding hairline, thinning or bald areas on the crown, or is the hair loss throughout your head?
• Have you had a recent illness or high fever?
• Do you dye your hair?
• Do you blow dry your hair? How often?
• How often do you shampoo your hair?
• What kind of shampoo, hair spray, gel, or other product do you put on your hair?
• Have you been under unusual stress lately?
• Do you have nervous habits that include hair pulling or scalp rubbing?
• Do you have any other symptoms like itching, flaking, or redness of your scalp?
• What medications do you take, including over the counter drugs?

Tests that may be performed (but are rarely needed) include:

• Microscopic examination of a plucked hair
• Skin biopsy (if skin changes are present)

Ringworm on the scalp may require the use of an oral drug, such as griseofulvin, because creams and lotions applied to the affected area may not get into the hair follicles to kill the fungus.

Treatment of alopecia areata may require topical or injectable steroids or ultraviolet light.

References

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:844-845.

Rakel P. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005: 897.