Baldness also known as alopecia is a thinning or abnormal loss of hair of the scalp, it is usually noticeable on the scalp, but can occur anywhere on the body where hair grows. This condition commonly affects men and less frequently women. It may be permanent or temporary, partial or complete, slowly progressive or rapid.

Types of Baldness: The type of baldness is diagnosed by looking on the medical history of the patient and a biopsy of the skin area.


• Alopecia areata - also called as “spotty baldness” because it occurs in patches. This type often found in children and young adults. The hair is lost in sharply defined patches, leaving the scalp smooth. The exact cause of this type of baldness, which is often spreads rapidly, is unknown, but a nervous factor is thought to be responsible. Cortisone has been found to be an effective treatment.
• Male-pattern baldness - it is the most common type of baldness, usually affecting men 18 to 50 years of age. The hair is lost on the frontal areas and on the crown of the scalp. Male-pattern baldness is thought to be caused by a sex-limited dominant hereditary trait and by the male hormones.

• Horseshoe baldness - is the severe case of baldness because almost the entire scalp can becomes hairless.
• Female-pattern baldness - is different from male-pattern baldness in a way that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained, this type of baldness rarely results in total hair loss.
• Scarring alopecia - scarred areas from burns or other injuries may prevent the hair from growing back. Other type of scarring that may cause hair loss is caused by diseases such as lupus, bacterial or fungal skin infections and skin cancer.
• Toxic alopecia - this type of baldness may occur following a high fever or severe illness. This condition is characterized by temporary hair loss. Certain medications, especially thallium, high doses of vitamin A, and some cancer medicine, may cause toxic alopecia. Medical condition like thyroid disease may also trigger toxic alopecia.
• Telogen effluvium - is a typeof hair loss that occurs suddenly. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning and not bald patches.
• Trichotillomania (hair pulling) - a habit most common among children, this may also cause hair loss.

Causes of Baldness:
• Endocrine imbalance in either men or women is one of the leading causes of baldness. In male-pattern baldness, the adrenal glands may produce too much androgen, resulting in the loss of scalp hair and an overabundance of body hair (hirsutism). A malfunction of other endocrine glands, such as the pituitary or thyroid, may also cause baldness.
• Temporary hormonal imbalance that usually occurs after pregnancy may cause some temporary loss of scalp hair, known as postpartum alopecia.
• An ovarian dysfunction can also cause hirsutism or baldness in women.
• Teasing the hair, arranging it in ponytails, and the use of hair straigthener, lacquers, and other products that tighten the scalp and damage the hair can aggravate hair loss in women.
• Diseases such as typhoid fever, tuberculosis, syphilis, malaria, and other infectious diseases can also cause hair loss.
• Baldness can also be caused from the use of toxic chemicals such as heparin. This type of baldness, known as “toxic baldness,” is usually temporary.
• Infections of the scalp (folliculitis) and the presence of excessive amounts of oil or of dandruff (seborrhea capitis) can contribute to baldness.
• Nervousness, tension, and strain can also affect normal hair growth.