What causes baldness in people?

           There are many theories regarding baldness. Some people treat baldness as the indication of the arrival of old age while some are of the view that bald men are intelligent. Baldness is also treated as a sign of richness. Some people think that bald men are fools. Whatever may be the significance of baldness, one thing is certain that by losing hair, man is deprived of his natural charm.

           Baldness or alopecia is mainly of two types: permanent and temporary. Heredity, age and male sex hormone (androgens) production are three main factors causing permanent baldness. Other causes of permanent baldness are scar producing skin diseases, injuries, inborn lack of hair development and severe injury to hair growing centers caused by chemical or physical agents. Disease of the scalp is one important cause of baldness.

           Temporary baldness may be due to high fever, typhoid, pneumonia, influenza etc. Hairs start falling due to weakness also. Baldness caused by disease and weakness can be cured by nutritive diets and tonics. X-rays, ingestion of meals and drugs, malnutrition, skin disease and endocrine disorders are some other causes of temporary baldness.

          Baldness can be controlled to some extent through proper care of hair and a balanced diet. No successful drug or therapy has yet been developed to treat baldness. Don’t waste money on advertised patent medicines or so called, “cures”!