Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 5 to 10% of women aged 12 to 45. It is an endocrine (hormonal) disorder that can affect fertility, but it has lots of other side effects and symptoms too.

The following are the main symptoms of PCOS:

• Irregular menstruation or missing periods
• Hyperandrogenism – this means that women with condition generally have increased levels of male hormones such as androstenedione and testosterone
• Abnormal weight gain
• Excess body hair (hirstutism)
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Oily skin or acne

Along with these symptoms, women with PCOS may also experience hair loss. This can vary from thinning hair to bald patches and mass shedding.

This symptom is likely to be caused by a female hair loss condition called telogen effluvium, in which an increased number of hairs enter the resting (telogen) phase and fall out. Hairs go through three stages – anagen (growth), catagen (transitional) and telogen (resting) – and at different times.

In women with PCOS, telogen effluvium is likely to be triggered by the hormonal changes taking place in the body, as well as possible thyroid problems.

If you think you may be suffering from PCOS and telogen effluvium, you should see your doctor or a trichologist (hair loss specialist) as soon as possible for a diagnosis.

Alopecia universalis is an advanced for of alopecia areata, a condition where the hair falls out in patches. It causes hair loss all over the body, including eyebrows, eyelashes and even pubic hair.

The condition is extremely rare, affecting only approximately 1 in 100,000 people. However, those people who do have alopecia universalis can often feel alone in their predicament as they believe no one else knows what they are going through.

It may give alopecia universalis sufferers some comfort to know that there are people all over the world with the condition, some of whom are very well-known.

High-profile figures with alopecia universalis

• John D. Rockefeller – the oil magnate and businessman often thought of as the richest man in history
• Duncan Goodhew – the former Olympic swimmer
• Matt Lucas – comedy actor most famous for the Little Britain TV series
• Art Harris – CNN reporter and journalist
• Dave McPherson – the lead singer and guitarist for InMe, the British rock band
• Charlie Villanueva – the professional basketball player who plays for the Detroit Pistons
• Dean Canto – the Australian racing driver
• Pierluigi Collina – a referee with the Italian Football Referees Association (AIA)

When most people see a child with no hair, they often assume that the child has a form of cancer or other illness. However, although chemotherapy treatment for cancer does cause hair to fall out, it is not the only cause of children’s hair loss.

Some forms of hair loss in children are more temporary than others, but all can be diagnosed properly if you just keep calm and take your child to see your GP.

The following are a few of the most common causes of children’s hair loss:

• Ringworm (also known as tinea capitis when it occurs on the scalp) – this is a fungal infection which causes patches of hair loss, itchiness, inflammation and scaling on the scalp.

• Alopecia areata – another common cause of hair loss, this condition causes small spots or patches of baldness on the scalp. It is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system.

• Trichotillomania – this is a condition in which the child feels the compulsive urge to pull out their own hair. It happens a lot amongst children, but most grow out of it given the proper attention.

• Telogen effluvium – like in adults, this is a condition triggered by stress, illness, fever or surgery. The stressful or traumatic event can cause more hair than normal to go into the resting phase, after which it falls out. However, the hair should grow back after six months or so.

Most people know alopecia to be a form of hair loss. However, what they don’t always know is that there are three main types of the condition – alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. But what is the difference between the three?

Alopecia areata

This is one of the most commonly reported types of hair loss, referring to bald patches or spots on the scalp.

Alopecia totalis

This is hair loss affecting the whole of the head, including eyelashes and eyebrows. It is a more advanced stage of alopecia areata, which progresses to totalis and universalis in around 1 – 2 per cent of cases.

Alopecia universalis

This term relates to hair loss all over the body, meaning that the entire epidermis is free from hair. It is the most severe form of alopecia areata, and as such is quite rare, occurring only in around 1 in 100,000 people.

Did you know…?

As well as the three types of alopecia outlined above, there are a couple of other ways alopecia can be classified. These include:

• Alopecia areata barbae – this is hair loss limited only to the male beard
• Alopecia areata multicularis – this refers to multiple areas or patches of hair loss
• Alopecia areata monocularis – one area of baldness, found in any location on the scalp