“Alopecia means hair loss,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). This hair loss can occur in patches, all over the scalp or all over the body. The AAD explains that alopecia occurs when the “immune system attacks the hair follicles (structures that contain the roots of the hair), causing hair loss.”
The Mayo Clinic reports that the most common cause of hair loss is a genetic condition called male or female pattern baldness. It is marked by a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair in women and tends to develop gradually with age. Other causes of hair loss can be hormonal and medical conditions, medications and supplements, radiation therapy to the head, a very stressful event, or certain hairstyles and treatments that may cause inflammation to the hair follicles.
For women, alopecia can be extra distressing as societal standards of beauty often involve hair. According to Harvard Medical School, one-third of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives. This hair loss can severely affect a woman’s emotional state and quality of life, thus in addition to medical treatments for their hair loss, referrals to a quality therapist and support group would also be recommended.
For treatment options and for mental health referrals, you may walk in or schedule an appointment at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics by visiting our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/treating-female-pattern-hair-loss
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/alopecia-areata