Hair loss can cause significant emotional distress in men, often leading to feelings of premature aging and a loss of confidence. For many men, hair loss begins in their 30s or 40s, when they still feel young and actively pursue careers, relationships, and family life. Hair is closely tied to identity, so the impact of losing it can be profound. Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause of hair loss in men, affecting roughly half of men by age 50. This condition is primarily linked to aging and hormones, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which weakens hair follicles. In this article, we will explore the critical causes of hair loss in men, including natural aging and medical conditions. We will also review treatment options to slow down or reverse hair loss and offer advice on when to seek medical attention if the problem persists. Understanding the causes and treatments of hair loss can help men feel more in control of this common issue.

Hair is often seen as a significant part of a woman’s identity, and losing it can be deeply distressing. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with images of long, thick, and sleek hair, experiencing hair loss can cause significant anxiety and affect self-esteem. Hair loss in women is more common than many realize, and it can occur for various reasons, from natural aging to underlying medical conditions. Understanding the different types of hair loss, identifying the causes, and knowing when to seek help is key to managing the problem effectively. In this guide, we will explore the various reasons behind hair loss in women, such as genetic factors, hairstyling practices, and medical conditions. We will also look at treatment options available and offer practical advice on when to see a healthcare professional. By being informed, women can take steps to address hair loss and improve the health of their hair.

A recent injury to the nail can cause a bruise that can look brown, black, purple or red - this should improve with time and grow out with the nail. There are some features to watch out for that can be signs of something more serious.

We lose hair all the time – 50 to 100 hairs a day, to be precise. But we don’t usually notice this constant cycle. Hair is important to us, to our sense of identity and self-esteem. It can be alarming when you see lots of hair on your brush, in the drain, or across the carpet. We don’t always find a cause, and hair grows back, but it’s worth seeking a doctor’s opinion in certain circumstances, in case a medical problem is to blame. Let’s cut through to the important bits: what’s causing it and what treatments might actually work.

Stress is an important and often overlooked cause of hair loss. Everyone sheds hair daily as part of a normal hair growth cycle, but at certain times in people's lives the rate of hair loss can pick up momentum, becoming more noticeable. Stress-induced hair loss is common and may result in hair loss from a certain area of the head or from all over the head. It can happen in both men and women of any age. The good news is that hair will usually grow back once the stressful event has passed, or you have recovered from a significant illness that caused physical stress or even from pregnancy.

Hair loss in children can be unexpected and worrisome, especially if the hair loss is significant. Rest assured that it's most likely to be temporary and is not usually a sign of anything more sinister. There can be a few underlying causes why children may experience hair loss, but it is important to be emotionally supportive and reassuring to your child, and avoid drawing attention to it unless they do. It can be distressing for them and cause a big hit to their self-confidence. For your own peace of mind, ensure that any of your concerns are reviewed by your family doctor.

For most, the abundance of estrogen causes a slowing down of hair shedding, and many women report increased volume and lustrous locks during pregnancy. But this isn’t so for all – the relative stress to the body in the first trimester may cause hair loss, but this is only evident later in the pregnancy. Hair will come back – you’ll notice regrowth two to four months after the baby is delivered.

This is characteristic of a fungal nail infection. Yellowing and thickening usually start at the tip, becoming soft and crumbly and harder to cut. Over weeks it can spread to the rest of the nail, replacing the healthy pink parts and causing it to lift off. Eventually, over the course of a few months, the whole infected nail may come off. People are usually bothered by the appearance, and only notice when summer announces itself and the flip flops come out, after a winter of feet in warm sweaty socks and shoes. It can occasionally cause swelling and pain. Tinea unguium, the medical term for fungal nail infection, is more common in the toenails than fingernails. It can affect one nail or several, usually on the same hand or foot, and can eventually spread to the other foot.

A white mark or marks on a nail are called leukonychia and are usually not a cause for concern. It's likely that you've injured the nail bed, right at the base of the nail where the new nail grows from, and this tiny trauma has left its mark. This can be the odd knock or bang, tight shoes where toes are concerned, or even some types of manicure or pedicure. This does not relate to any dietary deficiencies, as is commonly believed, so you do not need any tests. You just need to wait for that part of the nail to grow out, which can take a few months, as fingernails take a month to grow 1/8 of an inch.