Baldness can be due to either excessive hair loss or the inability of hair to grow. Knowing the exact cause always helps in successful treatment.
Excessive hair loss or Telogen effluvium T.Losing 100 hair per day is very normal. If you start seeing hairs everywhere in the house, on the pillow, bathroom floor, etc, then you need to seek medical advice. It can be due to:
Medical Ailments: Infections such as dengue, hepatitis, etc or surgeries or medicines for prolonged periods, autoimmune diseases such as SLE.
Stress(Physical or Emotional).
Hormonal Imbalance: Diseases such as hypothyroidism, PCOD, diabetes, etc.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Hair and skin are made of proteins mainly. the body requires almost 1gm/kg proteins daily. Other micronutrients like zinc, folic acid, selenium play a very important role in hair growth. Vit B12, Vit D deficiencies stunt hair growth.
Post Partum: Progesterone hormone levels are high during pregnancy and fall down to nadir post-delivery, pushing all the hair in the telogen phase. A new mother usually experiences huge and sudden hair-fall post-delivery.
Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition, characterized by sudden patchy hair loss.
Trichotillomania: A psychological condition wherein a person pulls out his own hair during stressful situations.
Miscellaneous: Pollution, hard water, chemical treatment, radiation therapy can contribute to hair loss.