There is a normal cycle of hair growth that lasts for 2 to 6 years, and during this cycle, some hair loss is normal.
- Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) per month during this phase.
- About 90 percent of the hair on your scalp is growing at any one time.
- About 10 percent of the hair on your scalp, at any one time, is in a resting phase.
- After 2 to 3 months, the resting hair falls out and new hair starts to grow in its place.
However, hair loss may be excessive in men, women, and children. Causes include:
- Stress 2-3 months after an illness or a major surgery (temporary hair loss)
- Hormonal problems (hypo- or hyperthyroiditis, imbalance in the male or female hormones (androgens or estrogens)
- Post-partum, again due to hormone imbalances after birthing a baby
- Some medicines, including blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills, and antidepressants
- Certain infections. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children
- An underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes
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