Hair loss / thinning
Treatments
Thinning hair may be an indication that the root of the hair does not have a sufficient supply of nutrients.
Certain shampoos can also help to create more volume in the hair.
In the case of a fungal infection, your GP may prescribe a topical application, or anti-fungal drug, in order to treat the infection and allow restoration of the hair. An infection may also be treated with medicated shampoos, or with a corticosteroid cream or lotion which may be used to control the immune response.
One medicine that may help hair regrowth is minoxidil which is available without prescription as a lotion applied directly to the scalp. However studies show that only about 20 percent of women have moderate regrowth, while 40 percent report minimal regrowth using minoxidil. These figures are for younger women aged 18 to 45 with early hair loss9.
If hair loss is caused by an underlying illness, such as thyroid problems, treatment of the illness will usually halt the hair loss.
