Date updated: June 01, 2009
Content provided by MedicineNet

Also called: Baldness, Loss of Hair, Thinning of Hair, Alopecia in men, Baldness male, Hair loss in men, Androgenetic alopecia, Male pattern baldness

Hair thinning is one of the common problem of hairs nowadays. Hair thinning occurs due to various reasons like- Tension, malnutrition, genetic causes, medication, stress, environmental toxins, low intake of protein in the diet etc.

There are many causes of scalp hair loss ultimately leading towards thin hair. Some skin disorders, such as eczema or psoriasis of the scalp, can cause thinning of the hair. Usually the hair grows again once the skin problem is treated. In general, most hair loss is not associated with systemic or internal disease, nor is poor diet a frequent factor.

Thinning of Hair is also termed as Hair Loss, Baldness, Loss of Hair, Alopecia in men, Baldness - male, Hair loss in men, Androgenetic alopecia and Male pattern baldness.

Thyroid disease can cause hair loss, but thyroid tests on people who have ordinary hair loss are usually normal. Iron deficiency can cause thinning of the hair. Although many medications list "hair loss" among their potential side effects, drugs are also not overall common causes of thinning of the hair or lost hair. On the other hand, with cancer treatments and immune suppression medications, hair loss is not uncommon. One useful way to classify hair loss is by whether the loss is localized and patchy, or whether it affects large areas or the whole scalp.