It is normal to lose some hair each day. The body re-grows hair to restore the hair loss. Nearly 10% of the hair follicles on the scalp remain in dormant phase after hair fall. After 2 to 3 months the dormant hair follicles grow new hair. The growing phase of the hair follicle lasts for 2 to 6 years in the scalp. The approximate hair growth in a month is about 1 centimeter. Hair loss occurs when an excessive amount of hair is lost. Hair loss can affect men, women, and children.

Causes of hair loss: There are a number of causes of hair loss. The common causes are:

Infection: Fungal infections can cause hair loss. They are easily treated with topical medicines.

Hormones: For men baldness is usually caused due to hormones. Hair loss may occur due to an overactive or under-active thyroid gland. Changes in androgen and estrogen level can cause a hair loss in both men and women. Hormone/ Steroid injections are usually given to correct hormonal imbalance.

Illness: Prolonged illness, major surgery, stress, can result in hair loss in large amounts. Temporary illnesses generally do not cause hair loss. Hair loss may also occur due to diseases, such as lupus or diabetes. It is important to find the cause of hair loss and get adequate treatment because hair loss is an early sign of disease.

Pregnancy: Hair loss in women may occur after child birth. Such hair loss occurs after 3 to 4 months delivery. This is because of high level of hormonal changes during and after pregnancy. This type of hair loss is self correcting and new hair usually grow back.

Medicines: Some medicines can cause hair loss such as anticoagulants used for treatment of gout, chemotherapy used to treat cancer, over consumption of vitamin A, antidepressant medicines, and birth control pills.