Any undue stress, whether physical or emotional, can result in hair loss or thinning hair.

Trichotillomania is a stress linked psychological disorder. Affected individuals compulsively pull or twist their hair, which causes patchy or diffuse loss. The compulsion seems to affect females more often than males and generally manifests itself before the age of 17. It is sometimes treated with therapy and/or antidepressants.

Over thirty specific diseases, including diabetes, lupus, and certain diseases of the liver, kidney, and thyroid are known to cause permanent or long-term hair loss. Short term or permanent loss can also result from general illness, high fever, a bad case of flu, chronic illness, or following surgery.

For more information on Medical Causes of Hair Loss, request our free Medical Guide.

Information on this page, provided as a service by Peggy Knight Solutions, draws upon information from the following sources: the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.