posted by DiegoMalingo on Feb 23
There are numerous possible conditions that can result in hair loss, and if you are experiencing rapid hair loss, you will have to determine what the cause is, and how to treat it. One possible cause is known as traction alopecia, a form of hair loss that results when your hair follicles have been damaged due to prolonged tension.
Traction alopecia can be result for three different reasons. The first, known as telogen conversion, is caused by a hair style that is used over and over again, and that pulls too tightly on your hair. It could be a pony tail, pig tails, a hair bun, or any other similar hair style. The constant pull on the hair causes the majority of your hair follicles to move from a growing phase into a resting phase, in turn resulting in the loss of hair. This is most often seen in woman, because men rarely style their hair in this way. However, it is commonly seen in Sikh men, because of the traditional way in which they wear their hair. It is also fairly common in African American women, because they tend to pull their hair into tight braids. The important thing to remember is that telogen conversion can happen to anyone, and is only the direct result of the way you style your hair.
A second and also fairly common cause of traction alopecia is caused from overprocessing. The overusage of chemical products in one’s hair, such as dies and straightening products, eventually damage the follicles and cause hair loss. Again, this is more common in women, but only because they are more likely to excessively use chemical products in their hair.
Another form of traction alopecia is known as trichotillomania. This is mental disorder where the person affected constantly and somewhat violently pulls on their hair, eventually damaging the hair follicles to the point where their hair begins to fall out. This is not a common form of traction alopecia, and the cause is still unknown.
All three forms of traction alopecia are reversible up to a certain point, so it is important to recognize the symptoms. The most obvious are patchy bald spots on your scalp, and/or rapid hair loss, where you hair falls out in clumps. Other symptoms include dandruff, a scaly scalp or pus oozing from the scalp. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor and to ensure they make the proper diagnosis. As long as you immediately stop the tension that was causing the traction alopecia, your hair follicles will heal, and you will be able to grow your hair once again.
Although traction alopecia is not one of the main causes of hair loss, it is important to be aware of it. If this is what’s causing you to lose hair, the side-effects are easily reversible without any products, creams, or surgery. The only important thing is an early diagnosis, and immediate action.
Visit the rapid hair loss guide to find out more about the different causes of rapid hair loss, such as traction alopecia,hair loss due to chemo, and male pattern baldness. Learn why these cause sudden hair loss and what you can do about it.
