Disease of Hair and Hair Follicles: Expert Key Facts

A disease of hair and hair follicles refers to any condition that damages the follicles or the strands they produce, leading to shedding, thinning, or scalp changes. These disorders can stem from inflammation, infection, autoimmune reactions, or physical stress on the scalp. 

Some forms, such as alopecia areata or traction alopecia, are temporary, while others, such as scarring alopecias, may cause permanent loss if untreated. Understanding the cause helps doctors choose the proper care, whether through medical therapies, gentle shampoos, or scalp-focused routines. 

Early recognition and consistent treatment give the best chance to preserve healthy growth and comfort.

At RootMD, our medical team, led by hair restoration specialist Dr. Ross Kopelman, explains the key facts about hair and hair follicles in clear language. You will learn what drives common hair illnesses, how doctors evaluate hair follicles, and which care routines support healthy hair growth over time.

Key Takeaways

• A disease of hair and hair follicles involves damage or inflammation that disrupts normal growth, often caused by genetics, hormones, infection, or autoimmune reactions.

• The most frequent conditions include male and female pattern baldness, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, and telogen effluvium, each with distinct triggers and outcomes.

• Early signs, such as patchy thinning, excessive shedding, or scalp irritation, should prompt a medical evaluation to protect active hair follicles.

• Treatments focus on reducing inflammation, stabilizing loss, and supporting regrowth through evidence-based shampoos, oils, or professional care routines.

• Gentle styling habits, balanced scalp hygiene, and early detection remain the most effective ways to maintain long-term hair growth and scalp health.

Types of Hair and Follicle Disorders

What are the different diseases and disorders of the scalp and hair?

Disorders include non-scarring and scarring forms, infections, inflammatory causes, and structural defects of the hair shaft. Non-scarring forms often allow regrowth because follicles remain intact. Scarring forms replace follicles with fibrosis and can be permanent without early care.

What are the five common hair diseases?

Five frequent entities are male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, and alopecia areata. Each has a distinct cause and pattern. Clear identification guides targeted care and sets realistic expectations.

• Male pattern baldness develops when hair follicles become sensitive to androgens, leading to the gradual miniaturization of hair follicles in the crown and temples. 

This common type of hair loss often follows a clear family history and progresses slowly. While follicles shrink, they rarely disappear entirely, so consistent scalp care can slow further loss and support partial regrowth.

• Female pattern baldness presents as diffuse thinning of the scalp rather than a receding hairline. Hormonal changes after pregnancy or menopause often influence its onset. 

Because follicles remain active, maintaining scalp health and reducing inflammation can help preserve terminal hairs and overall volume.

• Telogen effluvium occurs when a large number of hairs enter the resting phase after physical or emotional stress. Illness, surgery, or nutritional gaps can trigger this shedding pattern. 

The good news is that hair usually grows back once the underlying trigger is resolved, making reassurance and gentle care the focus of management.

• Traction alopecia results from repeated pulling of the scalp due to tight hairstyles, extensions, or braids. This ongoing tension damages the hair shaft and follicle, eventually producing thinning or bald spots around the hairline. 

Early changes are reversible if tension is removed, but chronic traction can lead to permanent follicle loss.

• Alopecia areata is the most common type of autoimmune hair loss that can affect people of any age. It often presents with smooth, round patches and may involve nail changes. 

Triggers can include stress or infection, and a family history may raise risk. You can read more about autoimmune hair loss in women to understand how hormonal and immune factors interact in female cases.

Causes of Hair and Follicle Disease

Inflammation and infections

Inflammation from autoimmune activity or dermatitis can disrupt cycling and miniaturize follicles. Bacteria and fungi can infect follicles, leading to pustules or patches. 

Prompt therapy aims to remove triggers and protect growth. Learn more about why hair loss happens to understand how everyday factors contribute to follicle inflammation.

Hormonal and genetic factors

Androgen sensitivity drives Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) hair loss, also known as male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness, often with strong family history signals. Hormonal shifts can change shedding or density. Genes shape follicle response and the chance that hair will usually grow back after stress.

Lifestyle and daily habits

Tight hairstyles can cause traction alopecia by repeatedly pulling on the follicles. Heat, harsh chemicals, and scratching irritate the scalp and the hair shaft. Balanced care reduces cumulative damage and supports steady hair growth.

Symptoms and Early Warning Signs

Early signs of follicle damage

Watch for increased shedding, patchy loss, scale, pustules, or pain on touch. Broken hairs indicate the hair shaft's fragility. Document changes with photos to guide next steps.

Symptoms that require medical review

Seek care for rapid loss, scalp pain, bleeding, or scarring signs. Patches that enlarge or ooze suggest infection or aggressive inflammation. Early evaluation protects follicles and remaining terminal hairs.

How Hair and Follicle Diseases Are Diagnosed

Clinicians review history, medications, and styling habits, then assess density, caliber, and patterns. Dermoscopy helps visualize follicles and miniaturization. Swabs, cultures, or labs are used to rule out infection and systemic triggers before selecting medical treatment.

Treatment Options for Hair Illnesses

Topical and oral medical therapies

Therapy choices depend on diagnosis, severity, and safety goals. Options may target inflammation, infection, or androgen activity and can lower symptoms or slow loss. Discuss the benefits, risks, and potential side effects before starting care.

Shampoos, oils, and supportive scalp treatments

RootMD focuses on clean, supportive care with dermatologist oversight. Our routines use DHT-aware cleansers and oils that comfort the scalp and protect the barrier. Gentle use helps reduce triggers and supports steady hair growth.

When to Seek Medical Attention

See a specialist if loss progresses quickly, if you note pain, pustules, or scarring, or if over-the-counter care fails after several months. Precise diagnosis improves outcomes and helps you avoid delays. RootMD can guide evidence-based routines and product choices that respect safety and clarity.

RootMD provides educational guidance you can act on, with expert input from Dr. Ross Kopelman to help you understand each hair disorder and make informed choices. Explore our DHT-blocking shampoo and hair growth oil, formulated to support scalp comfort and encourage healthy regrowth.