Health Library
The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.
Hair and Scalp Problems
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What is dandruff? Dandruff is a shedding of the skin on the scalp that leads to white flakes on the head, neck, and shoulders. What causes dandruff? Dandruff may be caused by a form of a skin condition called eczema, which causes increased shedding of normal scalp skin cells. Dandruff can also be caused...
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What is folliculitis? Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles. Each hair on your body grows out of a tiny pouch called a follicle. You can have folliculitis on any part of your body that has hair. But it is most common on the beard area, arms, back, buttocks, and legs. What causes...
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How much hair loss is common? Everyone loses some hair every day. Losing up to 100 hairs a day is normal. But if hair loss runs in your family, you could lose a lot more hair. With this kind of hair loss, you may end up with bald spots if you are a man. If you are a woman, you may find that the hair on the top of your...
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Hair transplant surgery involves moving scalp hair and hair follicles from an area with a lot of hair to an area with thinning hair or baldness. This technique can produce a natural look on the forehead, and a natural, dense look on the top of the head. The follicles and hair are removed from one part of the head with...
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Guides you through decision to take medicines to regrow thinning hair. Covers nonprescription minoxidil (Rogaine) and prescription finasteride (Propecia). Looks at benefits and risks. Covers side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.
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There are many types of hair loss. It is often categorized according to when it takes place during the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The anagen phase is when your hair grows—your hair follicle forms a new hair shaft. Most (90%) of the hair on your scalp is in a growing phase that lasts from 2 to 6...
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Medicines and medical treatments can cause hair loss. Medicines Many medicines that can cause hair loss include: Medicines used to treat cancer ( chemotherapy). Birth control pills. Women who lose hair while taking birth control pills usually have an inherited tendency toward hair thinning. If hair thinning...