The British National Health Administration, NHS, said hair loss is not usually a cause for concern, but sometimes it can be a sign of a medical condition.
However, some types of hair loss are permanent, such as male and female baldness. The causes of this type of hair loss are usually hereditary.
The most common cause of hair loss is male or female genetic baldness. It affects approximately 50% of men over the age of fifty, and about 50% of women over the age of 65.
The three main causes of male pattern baldness are age, genetics, and testosterone.
Men's hair tends to retract in the circumference and top of the head, while women's hair slowly grows all over the scalp without receding the hairline.
Usually, a doctor performs a physical examination of your scalp, and asks about your health history.
This could be due to autoimmune or skin disease, so your dermatologist may need to take a biopsy of your scalp skin.
Temporary hair loss
Temporary hair loss can be caused by a number of things, including:
•Illness.
•Stress.
Cancer treatment.
•Weight loss.
•Iron deficiency.
NHS recommends seeing a general practitioner at:
Sudden hair loss.
Bald spots appear.
• Hair loss in blocks.
Suffering from itching and burning.
Anxiety from hair loss.
How to treat hair loss
There is no 100% effective hair loss treatment.
The NHS website says: "Most hair loss does not need treatment and is either temporary and will grow again, or it is a natural part of aging. Hair loss due to a medical condition usually stops or grows again after recovery."