Hair loss (alopecia) treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes, you can. The doctor will want to give you a physical exam, and discuss any symptoms or signs of alopecia that you're experiencing. They'll also want to discuss your personal and family medical histories.

Before providing a diagnosis for alopecia, the healthcare professional may suggest additional tests to ensure your alopecia isn't being caused by other underlying conditions.

Once you have a clear alopecia diagnosis, the healthcare provider can suggest appropriate treatments for your alopecia.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe alopecia medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription for alopecia, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Most people lose between 50 to 100 hairs per day. This is normal, and is not usually noticeable because new hair is growing in at the same time to replace the ones that are lost. However, when it doesn't grow back in, you may be experiencing alopecia symptoms.

Alopecia areata, also known as hair loss or simply alopecia, is a common autoimmune disorder that causes hair to fall out. Sometimes the hair grows back, but falls out again later. In other cases, the hair may never grow back, or grow back for good once it returns.

When hair is lost, it often comes out in clumps that are the size and shape of a quarter. The amount of hair loss is different in everyone, so signs of alopecia can appear very differently from person to person. Some may only lose a small amount of hair, while others may lose a lot or all of their hair. While hair loss most commonly affects the head, that isn’t always the case. It can occur in all hair-bearing areas on your body including eyebrows, eye lashes, beards, and extremities.

While alopecia areata is most common in its main form, there are a few different types of alopecia, such as:

• Ophiasis alopecia areata - causes hair loss in the shape of a band around the sides and back of the head
• Alopecia areata totalis - total loss of hair on the head
• Alopecia areata universalis - total loss of hair on the body
• Diffuse alopecia areata - sudden thinning of hair, rather than lost patches

The main symptom or sign of alopecia is hair loss. What differs is the pattern and speed of hair loss, exclamation point hairs, and nail involvement, This can appear as:

• Sudden or gradual loosening of hair
• Full-body hair loss
• More hair loss during cold seasons
• Quarter-sized, circular, or patchy bald spots
• Hair thinning on the top of the head
• Scaling that is spread across the scalp
• Patches growing together into larger bald spots

You may notice a tingling, itching, or burning sensation on the skin around the hair follicles, right before the hair falls out. The skin is left smooth, with no redness or rashes.

Also, less commonly, alopecia can cause fingernails and toenails to become brittle, red, and pitted.

Alopecia is caused by white blood cells attacking the cells in hair follicles. This causes them to shrink, as well as slow down hair production. The exact cause for alopecia's immune response isn't known at this time.

However, there are some risk factors that can increase your chances of experiencing some form of alopecia. These include:

• Hormonal changes (thyroid problems, menopause, pregnancy, etc.)
• Family history of alopecia
• Extreme stress
• Certain medical conditions (diabetes, lupus, etc.)
• Significant weight loss
• Poor nutrition
• Medications or supplements
• Certain hairstyles or hair treatments
• Radiation therapy to the head
• Low vitamin D levels

Before offering a diagnosis for alopecia, the healthcare provider will want to discuss your personal and family medical histories. They'll also want to discuss any symptoms or signs of alopecia you're experiencing and perform a physical exam. The healthcare provider may also ask you questions about your hair care routine or your diet.

In some cases, the healthcare provider may suggest additional testing like blood tests or a scalp biopsy, to check for underlying conditions or infections that can cause alopecia.

They may also do a pull test, which involves gently pulling on several dozen hairs, to see how many come out. This procedure will help the doctor determine the severity of your alopecia.

Less frequently, the healthcare provider may suggest light microscopy to check for disorders of the hair shaft.

Once there is a clear diagnosis for alopecia, your healthcare provider will suggest appropriate alopecia treatments, depending on the severity of your condition.

There are some effective alopecia treatments for certain types of hair loss. In some cases, you may be able to reverse hair loss or at least slow it. Some forms of hair loss may regrow within a year, without any alopecia treatments. However, some forms of alopecia can't be reversed, and the hair loss may become permanent.

If your alopecia is being caused by an underlying condition, treating that condition could help reduce alopecia symptoms. If your alopecia is being caused by certain medications, the healthcare provider may change or temporarily stop your prescription.

In some cases, the healthcare provider may suggest prescription alopecia medications to help treat pattern baldness.

Less frequently, the healthcare provider may suggest hair transplant surgery or laser therapy as alopecia treatments. However, these alopecia treatments may not be effective, and even if they are successful, may not provide long-term solutions.

If you've begun to lose your hair, you should talk to a healthcare provider. Certain underlying conditions can cause alopecia, and may need to be treated to reduce alopecia symptoms.

A healthcare provider from Maple will be able to help provide you with a clear alopecia diagnosis. This way, you can find the treatments that will work best for you. This includes any prescription alopecia medications that may be necessary.

Don’t be embarrassed about losing your hair. Talk to a healthcare provider from Maple, and they’ll be able to help you manage any signs of alopecia you’re experiencing.

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