Hair loss, also called alopecia, means losing more hair than usual from the scalp or body. Some shedding every day is normal, but noticeable thinning, bald patches, or a receding hairline can be upsetting. Hair loss can affect anyone — men, women, and sometimes children. It may be gradual or sudden, and it can be temporary or long lasting depending on the cause.
Signs include thinning on the top of the head, a widening part, patchy bald spots, or more hair than usual in a brush or drain. The most common cause is a genetic pattern often called male or female pattern hair loss, which tends to run in families.
