Many people have hair or scalp problems. Hair may thin or fall
out, break off, or grow slowly. Dandruff or an itching or
peeling scalp may cause embarrassment and discomfort. Hair and
scalp problems can be upsetting, but they usually are not caused
by serious medical problems. Hair loss, including thinning and
breaking, is the most common scalp problem. Most people lose
from 50 to 100 hairs per day. Hair gradually thins as people
age, although not all people are affected to the same degree.
Hereditary thinning or balding is the most common cause of
thinning hair. You can inherit this from either your mother's or
father's side of the family. Women with this trait develop
thinning hair, while men may become completely bald. The
condition can start in the teens, 20s, or 30s. Babies often lose
their fine baby hair, which is then replaced by mature hair.
Because of changes in hormones, women often lose hair for 1 to 6
months after childbirth or after breast-feeding is completed.
Other possible causes for excessive