Hair loss can begin with a few extra hairs in the sink or in a comb. Or perhaps every time you look in the mirror you see more of the scalp. Either way, hair loss symptoms can be difficult to read at first. We shed hairs every day anyway. But knowing if you are suffering from hair loss early is an advantage because the earlier you treat it then the better results that you can get.

Symptoms of hair loss

• abnormal scalp skin (red, scaly, etc.)
• bald spots anywhere on the body
• gradual appearance of bald patches
• hair falls out after brushing or combing
• pain or itching of the scalp
• patches of hair fall out simultaneously
• receding hairline
• thinning hair

Symptoms of male and female baldness
In both men and women, the body's normal hair growth cycle gradually changes, and eventually hair in certain parts of the scalp stops growing entirely. However, symptoms of hair loss can be different in men and women who experience androgenic alopecia, or "male/female pattern baldness". Symptom onset is generally more delayed in women. For example, hair loss can begin for men any time after puberty, and is present for some men in their twenties. In women, hair loss may also start at puberty, but typically is not apparent until at least 10 years later.

Thinning hair is the most obvious symptom of androgenic alopecia. In men, it begins at the crown, temples, or both. Men also experience a "high forehead" characteristic of a receding hairline. This is less common in women. While men can go completely bald, women don't usually lose all the hair on the crown of the head.

When to seek help
Call your doctor if:

• The skin on your scalp under the involved area is red, scaly, or abnormal
• You are a woman and are experiencing male pattern baldness
• You are losing hair in an atypical pattern
• You are losing hair rapidly or at an early age (for example, teens or twenties)
• You have any pain or itching associated with the hair loss
• You have acne, facial hair, or menstrual irregularities
• You have bald spots on your beard or eyebrows
• You have been gaining weight or have muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, or fatigue

Although hair loss is fairly common, it can be a tough thing to live with, especially when it changes how you look. Although it is sometimes difficult to diagnose the cause of hair loss, finding out why it's happening is the first step toward treatment. Keeping good records of medication and family history will definitely help you getting the best care possible. To learn more about how doctors diagnose hair loss, continue reading the how to diagnose hair loss and female hair loss section now.