If you do not know anybody who has gone through hair loss before, chances are that you do not know what type of doctor you should seek. You may have not even know that dermatologists specialize in both hair loss and skin conditions. If you have began to experience symptoms, such as sudden thinning of hair or an over abundance of hair that falls out when you shower and brush your hair or comb your hair, you should definitely consider seeking a dermatologist in your area.
How will a dermatologist evaluate your hair loss?
There are a number of different things that a dermatologist is going to take into consideration when trying to find out the reason for which you have began to lose your hair. They will ask questions about what your diet is like, including whether or not you have taken any specific medications, dietary supplements or diet food in six months before you began to notice your hair loss. They will ask you whether or not hair loss runs in your family, because majority of the time, hairloss is hereditary. They will ask about your hair care habits, since poor hair care habits can also lead to hair loss in some people. If you are a woman, your dermatologist will ask whether or not you have gone through or are currently going through menopause and if the loss of hair has began to occur at the same time. They will question you about any recent illnesses or stress that you have had to deal with, including child birth or any major surgeries.
Then what?
After your dermatologist gets a could idea as to why you may be experiencing hair loss, he or she will most likely begin to examine your scalp and hair. They will then check several hairs under a microscope. At times, you may be required to take a blood test or have a scalp biopsy done to get an accurate diagnosis of your hair.
Why finding the problem is key
It is so important for your dermatologist to find out exactly why you have been experiencing loss. This could be a good indicator as to whether or not your situation will even respond to treatment. Some causes of hair loss, such as telogen effluvium, are not treatable. The pattern in which your loss is taking place may also be a harder pattern to treat. For example, men with receding hair lines have a hard time finding treatment.
