Causes of Hair Loss in Men

The main three causes of male hair loss are hormones, genetics, and passage of time.  Hair loss is usually diagnosed based on the appearance and pattern of the hair loss.

Occasionally, hair loss is caused by disease, medication, or exposure to toxic chemicals.  It may be necessary to have a complete physical and medical check up, including a scalp biopsy.  Doctors can also do hair analysis, blood tests, or other procedures to diagnose presence of disease, nutritional shortages, or to reveal substances such as arsenic or lead.  Following the diagnosis, the best course of hair loss treatment can be decided.

Medical advice should be sought immediately if any of the following occur:     

• Rapid hair loss, diffuse shedding, hair loss in patches, or breaking of hair shafts
    
• Hair loss accompanied by itching, skin irritation, redness, scaling, pain, or other symptoms
    
• Hair loss after starting a medication