Q: Does topical minoxidil (Rogaine) work for women? What are the side effects? What else can a woman do for thinning hair?
A: Answer: Yes, topical minoxidil (Rogaine) can potentially help women who have a certain type of hair loss called androgenic alopecia, the type of hair loss that occurs with aging. Minoxidil is thought to stimulate hair growth by increasing the blood supply that nourishes the hair follicles. It may take four to eight months to see results, and if treatment with minoxidil is stopped, the scalp will revert to its previous state of hair loss.
The results that can be seen with minoxidil vary from person to person. Minoxidil won't work for everyone. Side effects include unwanted facial hair growth and scalp irritation. Hives (itching) and swelling occasionally occur. Eye irritation can occur if the solution gets in the eyes. Excessive use of topical minoxidil can result in a drop in blood pressure.
Scientists in many laboratories are studying why hair grows and what signals the body sends to hair follicles to make hair grow. This research will result in new products in the future to stimulate hair growth.
If your hair is thinning, treat it gently. Avoid hairstyles with braids or other styles that result in hair pulled back tightly, since this causes stress on the hair follicles. Avoid scratching your scalp or twirling your hair. If your scalp is itchy, use a medicated shampoo. See a dermatologist if this problem does not resolve.
There are many reasons for hair loss other than aging, including certain medications, illness, stress and some disease states. For example, certain thyroid conditions can result in hair loss. Certain scalp infections can also result in hair loss. It is important to see your physician for treatment of any medical reasons that may be causing hair loss.
Q: Is hair loss common with HIV?
A: Yes, hair loss occurs quite often in people with HIV infection. The hair loss could be related to the active viral infection. But there are many other possible reasons for hair loss.
Some medications used to treat HIV can cause hair loss.
People with HIV are susceptible to a wide variety of viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Such infections can involve the scalp, causing hair loss. The infections can also involve other organs, stressing the body resulting in hair shedding.
In some cases, hair may thin over the temples as with aging. This type of hair loss is called "androgenic alopecia." In males, this is often referred to as "male pattern baldness." In other cases there may be circles of hair loss, similar to the condition called "alopecia areata," which also occurs in people who do not have HIV. In other cases there may be diffuse thinning over the entire scalp.
Also some people with HIV experience accelerated graying of hair.
There may be other reasons for the hair loss that are not related to HIV, including aging, non-HIV associated illnesses or infections, scalp conditions, stress, hormone changes, and other medications.
If you have HIV and hair loss, your first step is to discuss this with your doctor. Treatment depends on the cause for the hair loss. Underlying scalp conditions caused by fungal or bacterial infection are treated with anti-infective agents.
For male pattern baldness in a man or a woman, Minoxidil (Rogaine) can be applied to the scalp. Another option, only for men, is finasteride (Propecia), a pill taken by mouth.
(Rebecca Campen, M.D., J.D., is an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. She divides her time between clinical practice of dermatology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and private practice in Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Campen is the author of two books for medical students and residents, "Going Into Medical Practice" and "Blueprints in Dermatology.")
(For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu.)
(c) 2008 PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
A: Answer: Yes, topical minoxidil (Rogaine) can potentially help women who have a certain type of hair loss called androgenic alopecia, the type of hair loss that occurs with aging. Minoxidil is thought to stimulate hair growth by increasing the blood supply that nourishes the hair follicles. It may take four to eight months to see results, and if treatment with minoxidil is stopped, the scalp will revert to its previous state of hair loss.
The results that can be seen with minoxidil vary from person to person. Minoxidil won't work for everyone. Side effects include unwanted facial hair growth and scalp irritation. Hives (itching) and swelling occasionally occur. Eye irritation can occur if the solution gets in the eyes. Excessive use of topical minoxidil can result in a drop in blood pressure.
Scientists in many laboratories are studying why hair grows and what signals the body sends to hair follicles to make hair grow. This research will result in new products in the future to stimulate hair growth.
If your hair is thinning, treat it gently. Avoid hairstyles with braids or other styles that result in hair pulled back tightly, since this causes stress on the hair follicles. Avoid scratching your scalp or twirling your hair. If your scalp is itchy, use a medicated shampoo. See a dermatologist if this problem does not resolve.
There are many reasons for hair loss other than aging, including certain medications, illness, stress and some disease states. For example, certain thyroid conditions can result in hair loss. Certain scalp infections can also result in hair loss. It is important to see your physician for treatment of any medical reasons that may be causing hair loss.
Q: Is hair loss common with HIV?
A: Yes, hair loss occurs quite often in people with HIV infection. The hair loss could be related to the active viral infection. But there are many other possible reasons for hair loss.
Some medications used to treat HIV can cause hair loss.
People with HIV are susceptible to a wide variety of viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Such infections can involve the scalp, causing hair loss. The infections can also involve other organs, stressing the body resulting in hair shedding.
In some cases, hair may thin over the temples as with aging. This type of hair loss is called "androgenic alopecia." In males, this is often referred to as "male pattern baldness." In other cases there may be circles of hair loss, similar to the condition called "alopecia areata," which also occurs in people who do not have HIV. In other cases there may be diffuse thinning over the entire scalp.
Also some people with HIV experience accelerated graying of hair.
There may be other reasons for the hair loss that are not related to HIV, including aging, non-HIV associated illnesses or infections, scalp conditions, stress, hormone changes, and other medications.
If you have HIV and hair loss, your first step is to discuss this with your doctor. Treatment depends on the cause for the hair loss. Underlying scalp conditions caused by fungal or bacterial infection are treated with anti-infective agents.
For male pattern baldness in a man or a woman, Minoxidil (Rogaine) can be applied to the scalp. Another option, only for men, is finasteride (Propecia), a pill taken by mouth.
(Rebecca Campen, M.D., J.D., is an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. She divides her time between clinical practice of dermatology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and private practice in Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Campen is the author of two books for medical students and residents, "Going Into Medical Practice" and "Blueprints in Dermatology.")
(For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu.)
(c) 2008 PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
