Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Habits that can worsen hair loss include poor nutrition (low iron, vitamin D, zinc, inadequate protein/calories), tight or heavy hairstyles/extensions that pull on roots, frequent chemical or heat treatments, harsh or improper care (over- or under-washing, aggressive brushing/towel-drying), and lifestyle risks like chronic stress, smoking, heavy alcohol use, poor sleep, and inactivity; certain medications and conditions (thyroid issues, autoimmune disease, scalp infections) also contribute. There are several factors to consider—see below for practical fixes, which labs to check, safer styling and grooming tips, how to address stress and other habits, medication and health-condition reviews, and the warning signs that mean you should see a doctor.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to sudden, smooth round or oval patches of hair loss on the scalp, face, or body; it can occur at any age and affects about 2% of people. There are several factors to consider—triggers, who’s at risk, key signs (including nail changes), diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments from steroids to newer JAK inhibitors—that can influence your next steps; see the complete details below.

Ophiasis pattern alopecia is a subtype of alopecia areata marked by a snake-like, band of hair loss along the sides (temporal) and lower back (occipital) of the scalp due to autoimmune attack on hair follicles. It often has a more persistent course and can be harder to treat than typical patchy alopecia areata—there are several factors to consider. See below for important details that could influence your next steps, including triggers, diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.

Trichoscopy is a non-invasive exam of the scalp and hair using a lighted magnifier (dermoscope) to visualize microscopic hair-shaft and scalp changes, helping clinicians differentiate causes of hair loss (e.g., alopecia areata, pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, scarring alopecias) and often avoid a biopsy. There are several factors to consider, including what it can and can’t show, how to prepare, and red‑flag symptoms that need urgent care—see below for complete details that may guide your next steps.

Medications linked to hair thinning include chemotherapy and immunosuppressants; anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin); cholesterol and cardiovascular drugs (statins, beta-blockers, ACE/ARBs); retinoids (isotretinoin); antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and some antiepileptics (lithium, valproate); hormonal and thyroid therapies; plus certain NSAIDs, PPIs, antifungals, and antiretrovirals. They can disrupt the hair-growth cycle—causing telogen effluvium (often 2–4 months after starting) or anagen effluvium (sooner)—and shedding often improves within months after adjusting or stopping the trigger. There are several factors to consider; see below for key details on timing, alternatives, supportive treatments, and when to seek urgent care.

Resources include professional mental-health care (CBT/ACT with psychologists, psychiatrists, and integrated dermatology-psychology clinics), peer support via NAAF and Alopecia UK, online communities, teletherapy platforms, self-help tools (mindfulness, exercise, journaling), educational sites, and support from family/friends; a free online symptom check can also help you prepare for visits. There are several factors to consider—specific organizations/apps, how to choose the right support, and red flags that require urgent help are detailed below.

Hair loss is evaluated with a clinical exam plus noninvasive scalp/hair tests (pull and tug tests, standardized wash counts, trichoscopy, and sometimes phototrichograms), targeted blood tests (CBC, iron/ferritin, thyroid, selected hormone panels, vitamin D/B12/zinc, autoimmune markers), and fungal studies when indicated. If the cause remains unclear or scarring is suspected, doctors may perform a 4‑mm scalp punch biopsy with vertical and/or horizontal sections to confirm the diagnosis. There are several factors to consider—see below for which tests apply to your situation and the important details that can impact your next steps.

Alopecia types include non-scarring (often reversible) forms—such as androgenetic (male/female pattern), alopecia areata (including totalis/universalis), telogen and anagen effluvium, traction alopecia, trichotillomania, tinea capitis, and alopecia mucinosa—and scarring (cicatricial, permanent) forms like lichen planopilaris/frontal fibrosing alopecia, discoid lupus of the scalp, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia; rare congenital types include atrichia with papular lesions and hypotrichosis. There are several important distinctions that affect diagnosis and treatment—see details below on patterns, causes, reversibility, and when to seek urgent care, which can guide your next steps.

A scalp biopsy is recommended when the cause of hair loss remains unclear after initial evaluation (history, exam, dermoscopy, and labs), when scarring alopecia is suspected (smooth shiny patches, burning/itching, pustules), when the pattern is atypical or rapidly progressive, when treatment fails after 3–6 months, or when infections or autoimmune conditions (e.g., tinea, lupus, lichen planopilaris) are suspected. Timing matters: the highest yield comes from an active, minimally treated area—ideally within weeks of onset—taken at the edge of a lesion. There are several factors to consider; see below for key nuances on indications, optimal timing and site, alternatives, benefits/risks, and how these details can guide your next steps.

Alopecia areata often comes back because the autoimmune attack on hair follicles can re-ignite due to persistent “immune memory” and loss of follicle immune privilege, influenced by genetic susceptibility and triggers like stress, infections, hormonal shifts, or nutrient deficiencies. Relapse risk is higher with extensive initial loss, nail changes, early onset, or coexisting autoimmune disease. There are several factors to consider—see below for key triggers, risk factors, and practical steps to monitor, prevent, and treat recurrences with your clinician.

Hair regrowth can stop when the hair cycle is disrupted by telogen effluvium from stress or illness, genetic/hormonal factors like DHT-driven pattern hair loss, autoimmune attack (alopecia areata), nutritional deficiencies, medications (including chemotherapy), or scarring scalp diseases that permanently destroy follicles. Some causes are temporary and reversible once triggers are addressed, while others require early diagnosis and targeted treatment to prevent permanent loss. There are several factors to consider—see the complete details below for timelines, warning signs, and next steps that could impact your care.

Because hair loss stems from different mechanisms—autoimmune attacks with immune memory (alopecia areata), hormone- and genetics-driven miniaturization (androgenetic alopecia), and scarring that destroys follicles—there isn’t a single, permanent cure. The hair cycle is asynchronous and most treatments only work while used, so relapse is common once they’re stopped. There are several factors to consider that can change your best next step; see below for type-specific details, treatment limits and side effects, and when to seek care.

Yes, adults can get RSV, and it can be quite serious, especially for older adults or those with weakened immune systems.

Certain creams, like Kampo herbal ointments, might help with healing skin problems like chilblains, but more research is needed. Some medicines are also used to treat chilblains, but home remedies are not well-studied.

Yes, poor circulation and Raynaud's syndrome can make chilblains worse because they affect blood flow to the skin.

Yes, shingles on the face can cause long-term nerve pain and vision problems.

Yes, the shingles vaccine can help prevent shingles on the face or eyes.

Chest pain from the heart often feels like pressure or squeezing and may come with shortness of breath, while pain from other causes can be sharp or related to movement.

Frostbite can cause your fingers or toes to feel very cold, numb, and change color, often becoming white or grayish-yellow. If you notice these signs, it's important to warm them up gently and seek medical help if needed.

The common cold and RSV can have similar symptoms, but RSV often causes more severe breathing problems, especially in young children and older adults.

Shingles is a skin rash that often appears as a band on one side of the body and can be painful, while other rashes may look different and not cause pain.

Chilblains can be managed at home by keeping affected areas warm and dry, avoiding sudden temperature changes, and moisturizing the skin. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.

Chest pain from shingles is often sharp and located on one side, while heart-related pain can feel like pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest.

RSV treatment mainly involves supportive care, but there are some antiviral medicines being developed to help fight the virus.

Shingles near the eye, called herpes zoster ophthalmicus, needs quick treatment with antiviral medicine and sometimes extra care to protect the eye, unlike regular shingles.

Shingles is treated with antiviral medications, which work best if started within 72 hours of the rash appearing.

You should start taking antiviral medicine within 48 hours of flu symptoms beginning for the best results.

The shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is recommended for adults to prevent shingles, especially as they get older. It's best to get vaccinated even if you have had shingles before.

Early signs of fluid around the lungs, called pleural effusion, can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a cough. It's important to seek medical attention if you notice these symptoms.

Before the shingles rash appears, you may feel pain, tingling, or itching in a specific area on one side of your body or face.