Hair loss is unfortunately common these days. In most cases, it is attributed to things such as genes or stress. Although it can break someone’s confidence, it’s not really thought of as a major issue.
But what if the reason behind your hair loss is actually quite serious? By simply assuming it’s just bad genes, you could be putting yourself at risk. It’s possible that your hair loss is a symptom of serious health problems. Learn more about 3 of the big ones that could be driving the thinning on your scalp.
Lupus
If your hair loss is a symptom of serious health problems, lupus might be to blame. It’s an autoimmune disorder that likes to damage your skin, joints, and organs. Because hair grows through follicles in your skin, this is the link to balding and hair thinning. It can also cause your hair to become brittle and damaged.
Some medications used to treat it can also cause hair loss, but that can be reversed in most cases.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the rarer forms of cancer but also one of the most curable. The symptoms of this illness are extensive. They include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and fever. Unfortunately, the symptoms also include hair loss.
Similar to lupus, the medication used to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma can also lead to hair loss. Chemotherapy, in particular, can thin the hair on the scalp.
Underactive Thyroid
You might know this one better as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the condition of the thyroid gland not producing enough thyroid hormone, which can affect other hormone levels. This can throw off the process that our follicles need to go through in order to grow hair. If left untreated, it could potentially lead to full baldness.
In Conclusion
There are so many bald jokes out there but hair loss may not be a joking matter. It’s entirely possible that hair loss is a symptom of serious health issues. If you find yourself experiencing this, it pays to get it checked out.
