PRACTICAL HEALTH · SYMPTOMS
🧑 Hair loss
Hair loss may be gradual or sudden and can have hereditary, hormonal, medical, nutritional or medication-related causes.
What should you notice?
- Sudden versus gradual hair loss.
- Patchy versus generalized thinning.
- Scalp redness, scaling, pain or scarring.
- Recent illness, major stress, weight change or new medicines.
- Changes in nails, skin or other symptoms.
Possible causes
These are examples, not a diagnosis. The same symptom can have many different causes.
- Hereditary hair loss.
- Hormonal changes.
- Some medical conditions.
- Certain medicines or treatments.
- Physical or emotional stress and nutritional factors.
What can you do initially?
- Avoid aggressive hair treatments while the cause is unclear.
- Review new medicines with a healthcare professional rather than stopping them yourself.
- Seek evaluation for sudden, patchy or unexplained persistent hair loss.
🚨 Warning signs
- Rapid hair loss with significant systemic illness.
- Painful, inflamed or scarred scalp.
- Hair loss accompanied by other substantial unexplained symptoms.
If you believe the situation is life-threatening, call 911 in the United States.
Medical sources
Medical review: September 2026.
Educational information: This page provides general health information. It does not establish a diagnosis, prescribe treatment or replace evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.