hair disorders
skin disorders
Alopecia (Hair Loss)
Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history and then do a physical examination. What doctors find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the hair loss and the tests that may need to be done. Doctors ask about the hair loss: Whether hair loss began gradually or suddenly How long it has been present Whether hair loss is increasing Whether hair is being lost over the entire head or in one specific area They note other symptoms such as itching and scaling. They ask about hair care, including whether braids, rollers, and hair dryers are used and whether the hair is routinely pulled or twisted. Doctors ask whether the person has been recently exposed to drugs, toxins, or radiation or has experienced significant stress (such as that resulting from surgery, chronic illness, fever, or psychologic stress). They ask about other characteristics that may suggest a cause, including dramatic weight loss, dietary practices (including various restrictive diets), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) . Doctors review the person's current and recent drug use and family history of hair loss. During the physical examination, doctors focus on the scalp, noting the distribution of hair loss, the presence and characteristics of any skin abnormalities, and the presence of any scarring. They measure the width of the central part of the scalp at several points ( see Figure: Losing Hair ) and look at hairs under a microscope for abnormalities of the hair shafts. Doctors evaluate hair loss elsewhere on the body (such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, arms, and legs). They look for rashes that may be associated with certain types of alopecia and for signs of virilization in women such as a deepened voice, hirsutism, an enlarged clitoris, and acne. They also examine the thyroid gland. 