Hair Loss: Conditions That Can Cause Body Hair Loss

Hair loss (alopecia) is a fairly common occurrence. While it’s more prevalent in older adults, anyone can experience it, including children.

It’s typical to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). With about 100,000 hairs on your head, that small loss isn’t noticeable. New hair normally replaces the lost hair, but this doesn’t always happen.

Hair loss can develop gradually over years or happen abruptly. Depending on the underlying cause, it may be temporary or permanent.

Conditions That Can Cause Body Hair Loss

Hormonal Imbalance

You may lose hair when you have polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS). That’s a women’s health condition that affects
your hormone levels. PCOS can lead to hirsutism — when women sprout a
lot of hair in places they normally wouldn’t. You may notice hair on
your face, chest, or chin. Extra androgens, sometimes called male
hormones, cause this. Your doctor can help treat your PCOS.

Autoimmune Disorder

With
alopecia areata, hair may get thin or stop growing. That’s because your
immune system attacks hair follicles, making it hard for hair to grow.
You may get bald patches on your head or other body parts. You might
lose your eyebrows or eyelashes. Sometimes, all your body hair falls
out. That’s called alopecia universalis. Medicine may regrow hair. And
since your follicles still work, your hair might grow back when the
condition isn’t active.

Thyroid Condition

Talk to a doctor
if your hair loss comes with fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss or
gain, or dry skin. You might have a thyroid problem. Medicine can help
your thyroid work the right way. Your hair should grow back with
treatment, but it may take several months. Rarely, anti-thyroid drugs
can cause hair loss. Your doctor might be able to switch your medicine
if this happens to you.

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can affect
more than blood sugar. It also can damage the cells in your hair
follicles. You may notice changes before you’re diagnosed. Your hair
might get thinner, or it may take a long time to grow back. Without good
circulation in your feet and legs, the hair below your knees may start
to shed. Talk to a doctor if you need help controlling your blood sugar.
They can help you figure out a treatment plan.

Genetic Hair Disorders

You
can be born with a condition that affects hair growth. One is called
hypotrichosis. It’s when you’re born with sparse, thin, and fragile body
hair. Your condition may stay the same. Or sometimes, you might go bald
or keep losing body hair over time. Medicine may help you thicken or
grow new hair.

Adrenal Gland Disorder

If you have Addison’s
disease, your adrenal glands don’t make enough of certain hormones. That
includes cortisol and aldosterone. This can lead to body hair loss and
sexual problems in women. Other symptoms include serious tiredness, skin
color changes, and stomach problems. Talk to a doctor if you think you
have Addison’s. It can be life-threatening without treatment. You can
take medicine to get better.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

Some
STIs can cause patchy hair loss. This can happen in the later stages of
syphilis. You may also get a fever, sore throat, or a rash that doesn’t
itch. It’s important to take medicine to cure syphilis. That’s because
even though your symptoms may get better without treatment, the STI
stays in your body. Syphilis can go on to hurt your eyes, heart, and
brain. If you use a latex male condom, you can lower your chances of
future STIs.

Not Enough Iron

Your doctor may check your iron
levels if you start losing hair. That’s because it could be a sign
you’re not getting enough. Low iron can also cause anemia. Your doctor
can run a blood test to find out if you’re anemic or just low in iron.
To get better, they may want you to eat iron-rich food — red meat,
beans, and dark leafy greens, for example — or take a supplement.

Not Enough Nutrients

Iron
isn’t the only thing you need for healthy hair. Your follicles depend
on a variety of vitamins and minerals. If you’re not getting the right
nutrients, you may notice hair loss. A doctor can run tests to find out
if you’re getting enough. They might want you to eat more protein and
foods with vitamin D. More research is needed to know if vitamin and
mineral supplements can help.

Too Much Vitamin A and Selenium

It’s
important to get the right vitamins and minerals. But you don’t want to
overdo it, especially with supplements. Research shows too much vitamin
A and selenium can cause hair loss.

Stress

When you’re
under a lot of pressure, your follicles might go into a resting phase.
Some strands may fall out after a few months. That’s called telogen
effluvium. Severe stress may also trigger an autoimmune condition, like
alopecia areata. If you have a mental disorder called trichotillomania,
you might pull your own body hair out as a response to stress.

Scarring Alopecia

Inflammation
can destroy your follicles. That’s called cicatricial alopecia. Hair
can’t grow because scar tissue gets in the way. These conditions can
affect your scalp, eyebrows, and underarms. Research shows some
inflammatory disorders can cause you to lose patches of hair on other
parts of your body. Treatment depends on what’s causing your scarring
alopecia.