When should I see a doctor about hair loss?

Noticing more hair in the brush or a wider part is unsettling, and it is hard to know when it is time to get help. Here is a plain way to decide, written for Madera readers who would rather not waste money on guesses.

See a doctor before you spend on products or a commercial hair clinic. The NHS advises seeing a GP to get an idea about what's causing your hair loss before thinking about going to a commercial hair clinic.

Why the diagnosis comes first

Once you know the cause, you can judge any product or clinic offer against it.

A board-certified dermatologist

The American Academy of Dermatology says that to get an accurate diagnosis, it helps to see a board-certified dermatologist. When you call a clinic in Madera, Madera Acres, Fairmead or elsewhere in the county, ask whether the doctor is board-certified.

Free reading you can do tonight

The American Academy of Dermatology page on hair loss diagnosis and treatment is a good first read. If you are a woman noticing thinning, the American Academy of Dermatology page asking if it could be female pattern hair loss and the DermNet page on female pattern hair loss go into more detail.

Signs that mean you should not wait

Hair loss that is sudden, patchy, comes with itching or pain, or that worries you is worth an appointment now rather than later.

Treatment once the type is known

After the visit, readers usually ask what treatment options exist for their type. Your dermatologist can answer that once the type is known.