Hair loss

It is normal to lose some hair. However, excess hair loss is often not the intention. A normal person loses about 50 to 120 hairs in a day. There's nothing wrong with this. With hair loss this is more or it no longer grows back. That is why in this article we will look at what hair loss is and what can be done about it.

What is hair loss?

If the hair you lose every day does not grow back, you will experience hair loss. This is because you suffer from bald spots or a thin head of hair. Hair loss can have various causes, namely:

• Normal hair loss: 50 to 120 hairs per day. This won't make you bald
• Old age: You lose your hair in a certain pattern. Baldness is often genetically determined.
• Alopecia Areata: Sudden bald spots. Usually occurs on the head, but can occur anywhere on the body. This is also often genetically determined.
• Diffuse hair loss: Thin hair. Causes of this are stress, fever, low weight, iron deficiency, childbirth, illness, surgery or medications
• Chemotherapy: You can suddenly lose all your hair.
• Hairstyles and head coverings: Tight hairstyles and head coverings such as a tight bun or a headscarf cause more hair loss because of the force on the hair.
• Syphilis: A venereal disease resulting in hair loss.

How do I recognize hair loss?

You can often recognize hair loss by losing the hair. You may also notice bald spots. In men, the hairline often first recedes around the temples and the crown. With Alopecia Areata you can immediately see bald spots on your head hair, but also on your beard.

Can I do something about it myself?

There are many creams and remedies against hair loss on the market. However, its effectiveness has never been proven. A diet or extra vitamins will not simply help with hair loss. There is very little you can do yourself against hair loss.

Can the pharmacist do anything for me?

It is possible to obtain various hair loss remedies by prescription. For this you must first go to the doctor. When you get older, there is often not much that can be done about it. If you are a little younger, consulting your GP can help you with this. Your doctor can help you determine where the hair loss may be coming from.

Sometimes you will be prescribed medication that can help you against hair loss. These are medications such as hormones that promote hair production, hormone blockers that counteract the male hormone testosterone so that hair can grow again and adrenal cortex injections.

Buy medicines without a prescription

It is not possible to buy hair loss medications without a prescription. This is because the medications can have various side effects and can sometimes be harmful to your hormone balance. That is why it is important to receive a prescription from your GP for this. The creams against hair loss can be purchased everywhere without a prescription. You can often get these at the pharmacy. Many of these types of creams can also be found online. However, the effect has not been proven.