If you have been wondering why you are waking up and finding hair on your pillow and you are finding that your hair is going wispy and you might be getting bald patches? It might be time to consider going to the doctors to speak about getting a formal diagnosis. There are many conditions which result in hair loss but your doctor will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and tell you why you are losing your hair.
It can take a lot to pluck up the courage to go to the doctor and talk about what is happening to you but you need to be strong. There are many women out there who have unfortunately lost their hair as a result of many things that have gone on their lives. Some lose their hair to cancer whereas others lose theirs because of stress. Your doctor will be able to give you solutions to your problems and give you all of the advice that you need.
For some hair loss can be temporary and it will grow back over time and provided that you ensure that you take things easy and reduce the amount of stress in your life. However, for some it is permanent and this can be difficult to come to terms with and be very frustrating.
With there being so many different causes of hair loss, a number of different tests have to be carried out by a GP or dermatologist to establish which one is affecting you.
Iron
Iron levels are often tested as research has shown that low iron is often associated with loss of hair. It is not simply a matter of taking iron supplements, however, as this may not be the issue and you can have too much iron.
Thyroid check
Research has shown that hypothyroid and hyperthyroid can cause hair loss. This may be checked and you can be put on thyroid replacement medication. However, if you are already on such medication, there is a chance that this is the cause of hair thinning or loss as this can be a side-effect.
Hormone levels
High levels of testosterone can cause hair loss. The level of testosterone in women will tend to rise after the menopause and this may well trigger hair thinning.
Nowadays, there are thousands of websites offering ‘miracle’ cures and products for everything from weight loss to female hair loss treatment. The reason these fraudulent sites continue to exist is because there will always be people desperate enough to find a solution to a life-altering health problem to fall for the sales spiel.
The truth is, for female hair loss in particular, that spending your hard-earned cash on these ‘miracle’ products and treatments will ultimately lead to crushing disappointment. This is because the overwhelming majority of these products do not work, and the people who make and sell them are making money out of your willingness to believe they do.
Go to specialist clinic or doctor instead
The best way to avoid being ripped off on these internet products is to avoid disreputable or dubious- looking websites altogether. If the product and its low price seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
All this isn’t to say that there aren’t treatments and solutions out there for women suffering from hair loss, but the way to find them is through a registered GP or a specialist hair loss clinic.
Whenever a hair loss problem develops, the first thing to do is to go and see your GP. They will help you get to the root cause of your hair loss and only then will you be able to treat the condition correctly.
As part of the process, you are likely to have to see an NHS dermatologist. While dermatologists are commonly thought of as dealing with the skin, they also deal with hair, as hair follicles reside in the skin. However, there may well be a wait to see an NHS dermatologist. If you cannot wait, you do have another option. You can an appointment with a trichologist privately.
Trichologists deal with the hair and scalp and a typical consultation is an hour long. As with any medical position, there are qualifications for trichologists, so make sure you are being seen by a professional.
During you hour-long session, the trichologist attempt to diagnose your problem and should be able to recommend a subsequent course of treatment. If your condition is likely to result in substantial loss of hair, there are various hair replacement options that you can take a look at to help you manage the problem.
Losing hair can be a distressing experience, whether it is gradual or relatively sudden. Unfortunately, there are many unverified miracle cures out there, so it can be hard to know where to turn. The important thing is to turn to your GP first of all.
We all lose hair, but if you notice that you are losing more than you would ordinarily expect, it is perhaps time to speak to your GP. They will investigate and diagnose and will hopefully be able to identify the cause, at which point you can consider what your next step should be.
Quite often, your GP will refer you to a dermatologist. While dermatology is primarily concerned with the skin, this branch of medicine does include hair, because the hair follicles reside in the skin. It is also possible to contact a consultant dermatologist directly without referral from your GP.
By speaking with an NHS consultant dermatologist, you can be sure that you are getting the best and impartial advice. NHS practitioners are governed by the General Medical Council and are therefore duty-bound to act in your best interests.
As with any medical condition, it is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis for hair loss before you can start any treatment. This is especially important with hair loss related conditions as the symptoms are often remarkably similar and the defining characteristics of a particular condition can be hard to spot.
For example, a child displaying symptoms of hair loss could have one of a number of different conditions. Alopecia areata is patchy hair loss where the skin remaining is perfectly smooth and without lesions, whereas Tinea Capitis (ringworm of the scalp) will cause bald patches where the skin may display scaling.
Both of these conditions cause hair loss, but the treatment for each is very different. There is no definitive cure for alopecia areata – although the hair is likely to grow back within a year or so if the patient is a child – whereas Tinea Capitis requires anti-fungal medicine to be ingested for effective treatment.
In adults, the causes and treatments for each type of hair loss can also be very different, so it is important to consult a GP for a proper diagnosis. Only then can you seek help from a hair loss treatment specialist for your particular condition.
There are various Hair Loss Forums on the internet that tend to cover a broad range of subjects relating to hair loss. People comment on various treatments within these forums and some of these comments can be helpful although finding a solution to help manage your hair loss is a very personal decision that can only be made by you!
It is good for women to talk to each other about their hair problems as you can get some good advice but what works for one person may not work for you so if you are seeking ethical advice about your hair loss then you should visit your GP, Dermatologist or Registered Consultant Trichologist. Getting a formal diagnosis for your hair loss is a positive step forward as you will then know if it is something you have to manage either in the short term or in the long term. They will also advise you on what your treatment options are.
Hair Loss Forums can be a good way of finding a support mechanism from other hair loss sufferers but professional advice can only come from those that are qualified – your GP, Dermatologist or Registered Consultant Trichologist.
When you approach your GP about your hair loss situation they will advise on what you may be able to do to either prevent further hair loss or encourage regrowth. There are many types of female hair loss and for some clients with a temporary type of hair loss then it may be possible for your hair to regrow. For others, it may be something you need to manage long term.
If you were considering using the Intralace System to help manage your hair loss then you may be able to get NHS funding towards the upkeep of the system. Lucinda Ellery currently have approx 26 clients who receive funding from the NHS. Funding needs to be applied for through your GP and an initial consultation with Lucinda Ellery is required before your GP is able to do this. It is fair to say that applying for funding can be long winded and difficult and although many clients have their application turned down, there are some clients who have the funding granted.
We are often asked if clients with certain hair loss types are more likely to be accepted for funding but there is no real pattern. The Primary Care Trust tend to assess if they feel the client has exceptional circumstances.
As mentioned previously an initial consultation is required with Lucinda Ellery before you can explore the NHS funding route with a view to using the Intralace System.
If you notice any change in your hair in terms of density, then it is important to consult your GP. There are many different types of hair loss so getting a formal diagnosis is important as you can then consider your options with regard to managing your hair loss.
Your GP may refer you to a Consultant Dermatologist. You may want to consider visiting a private Registered Consultant Trichologist. There are a number of Registered Trichologists around the UK. The good news is that with some female hair loss types, regrowth is possible. There are other types of female hair loss that tend to be permanent. A formal diagnosis will help you plan ahead.
