Common Hair Diseases and How to Address Their Symptoms, Naturally

The list of common hair diseases is fairly long and affects many. If you have hair loss, you are not alone. Approximately 35 million men and 21 million women in the U.S. are affected by hair loss. Let’s take a look at common hair disorders and their symptoms, and ways to improve the look and feel of your hair.

Common Hair Diseases and Their Symptoms

Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a specific hair condition. Maybe you are unsure what is causing your hair loss. Check our list of the different types of hair diseases for more information.

Alopecia Areata and Hair Loss

This common hair condition typically starts with small patches of hair loss on the scalp. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the hair follicle. While it most often affects the scalp, it can cause hair thinning on the eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas of the body, as well. Excessive hair shedding and thin, brittle nails are other symptoms of the condition.

Lupus and Hair Loss

This autoimmune disease attacks various parts of the body, causing inflammation and hair loss. Lupus is most often linked to a family history of the hair disease or can be triggered by environmental factors, like sunlight, infections, and certain medications.

PCOS and Hair Loss

A hormonal and endocrinological disorder with onset after puberty, PCOS is mostly diagnosed in women aged 20-30 years old. While the exact cause is yet unknown, higher levels of androgens is thought to be a link. Hair loss is a common symptom in this disorder, often diagnosed as Androgenic Alopecia.

Thyroid Disease and Hair Loss

Both hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid gland overproduces) and hypothyroidism (when the gland underproduces) can lead to hair loss. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid and also has links to hair loss. While not everyone with a thyroid disorder will see hair loss, it is a fairly common experience due to the production of hormones T3 and T4 impacting new hair growth.

Postpartum Hair Loss

Hormonal changes after giving birth often lead to a temporary increase in hair loss. While this is a typical response to the body’s attempt to regulate hormones to their normal, pre-pregnancy state, the amount of hair loss can be concerning to many women. Postpartum hair loss can begin the day that you give birth. However, it typically takes about 3-4 months to notice the hair loss and your hair can continue shedding for a full year.

Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss

If you’ve ever noticed a sudden onset of hair loss, especially after a stressful event, this is known as Telogen Effluvium. It can also happen due to sudden weight loss, poor diet, menopause, and underlying health conditions. Considered the second most common cause of hair loss after Alopecia Areata, this hair condition is most often reversible.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Hair Loss

Also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Sleeve Surgery is a medical weight loss procedure that removes 75-80% of the stomach. Hair loss is one of the more common initial symptoms following the procedure but it should not be a long-term issue. Most often, people experience hair loss about 3-6 months following surgery, and hair growth should resume to its normal rate as your body begins to regulate.

Menopause and Hair Loss

Due to hormonal fluctuations during both perimenopause (the time leading up to the cessation of menses) and menopause, hair loss can become a factor. Estrogen and progesterone keep hair in the growth phase. As they fluctuate and wane during these hormonal shifts, you may see hair loss. The good news is, menopausal hair loss can usually be reversed and hair growth can be supported.

Diabetes and Hair Loss

This common disease affects how your body uses blood sugar. There are three types of Diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes. Hair loss can occur with both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Cushing Syndrome & Cushing Disease and Hair Loss

 Also known as Cushing's Syndrome and Hypercortisolism, Cushing Syndrome is caused by an influx of cortisol that comes from something either inside or outside of the body, such as a pituitary or adrenal tumor, or by corticosteroid medications like prednisone. Cushing Disease is a specific form of Cushing Syndrome and is considered a rare pituitary disorder when the body produces too much cortisol caused by a (typically benign) pituitary tumor. Both Cushing Syndrome and Cushing Disease can cause hair loss.

Men’s Hair Loss

Often called male pattern baldness, this type of hair loss is also known as Androgenetic Alopecia. While it can affect women, most men dealing with this condition lose hair in the pattern of an “M”. Genetics and family history are the main causes of men’s hair loss.

Autoimmune Diseases and Hair Loss

We’ve talked about some of the autoimmune diseases related to hair loss, like Alopecia Areata and Lupus. But there are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, the exact causes of which are often unknown. Hair loss due to autoimmune diseases are thought to be linked to the immune system attacking healthy cells.

Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Chemotherapy drugs attack healthy cells of the body along with cancer cells, and hair follicle cells are some of the first to be affected. Hair loss is often experienced on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas of the body. Hair loss due to chemotherapy is usually temporary and hair growth typically resumes in 3-6 months after treatment is completed.

COVID-19 and Hair Loss

The pandemic virus has many symptoms, some short-term, others long-lasting. And hair loss can be one of them. Hair loss from COVID-19 is usually stress-related, as in Telogen Effluvium, and hair growth returns typically within 6-9 months after having the virus.

Post Surgery Hair Loss

Post-surgical hair loss is a result of the body going through a traumatic event, also known as Telogen Effluvium. This "shock hair loss" is characterized by an increased amount of hair shedding due to the bodily stress of both the surgery and anesthesia. This type of hair loss is most common after major surgeries, though it can occur after minor ones, as well.

How To Treat Hair Loss Due to Common Hair Diseases & Hair Conditions

Even if you know what’s causing your hair loss, you still want your hair growth to return to normal. Pronto! It may ease your mind to know there are ways to promote hair regrowth if you are suffering from any of these common hair disorders.

First, make sure you are eating a healthy diet filled with foods that support healthy hair growth and managing your stress levels. Next, make sure you are giving your body the nutrients it needs for optimal hair growth.

Wondering what those nutrients are? We happen to have the answer! ST. TROPICA Tru Bloom Hair Growth Vitamins are designed to address the specific needs of those experiencing hair loss. Tru Bloom Hair Growth Vitamins are not any ordinary hair vitamin. We’ve carefully crafted them to contain 100% or more of the Daily Value (DV) of all the essential hair nutrients, plus our proprietary, highly-researched, plant and fruit based Hair Superfood formula. Better still, they are 100% drug and allergen free so you can feel good about using them.

Take it from our amazing users who have used our Hair Growth Vitamins during or after their bout with hair disease or a hair condition that includes hair loss. Take a look at what our valued customers have to say and get in on natural hair growth goodness today.