Should Your Mom’s Hair Loss Concern You?
Like many women, your mom’s hair has thinned a lot after menopause. It happens because the hair follicles become smaller. Hair will become finer and thin out. She may even form areas where balding seems to be occurring.
Is this a concern? Should she see a doctor? If it’s bothering her, talking to a doctor can be beneficial to rule out thyroid issues or iron deficiencies. If she is on medications, the doctor may want to make sure hair loss isn’t a possible side effect.
Stress and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Stress may be making her hair thin and fall out. If she has a type of OCD known as trichotillomania, it will lead to hair loss. This mental disorder is an incessant urge to pull out hairs on the body. The eyebrows, eyelids, and scalp are common targets.
If your mom is pulling out her hair due to trichotillomania, which is also known as “Hair Pulling Disorder,” it’s important to have her talk to a doctor. She may need counseling or prescription medications that ease her anxiety and compulsion.
Treatments and Solutions for Hair Loss
Your mom may need to change her diet and ensure she’s getting enough nutrients. Biotin may help. She may need to start using a shampoo like Rogaine/Minoxidil that helps stimulate the scalp.
If your mom likes wearing ponytails, they can pull the scalp. She needs to stop wearing ponytails and aim for a looser hairstyle. She could go for a short cut that doesn’t allow her to put it in a ponytail or bun.
She needs to stop dying her hair and doing chemical perms. If she does like coloring or perming her hair, ask her stylist about chemical-free products.
An itchy scalp may be causing your mom to scratch her skin, which can damage the hair. Skin conditions like eczema and dandruff may be to blame. A shampoo that helps ease these skin conditions will help treat them.
Caregivers Can Help With Socialization and Appointments
Don’t let hair loss affect your mom’s well-being. If it is making her self-conscious, take steps to help her. Wearing a hat in public or purchasing a wig are ways to help her feel more confident. If it’s still making her feel reserved and withdrawn, hire caregivers to make sure she socializes in her home.
Caregivers can also help her with medication reminders and appointments to address her hair loss. Call an agency to make arrangements.
If you or an aging loved one is considering caregivers in Yarmouth, ME, please contact the caring staff at CareTree Healthcare today. Call today! 207-899-0774.
The story behind CareTree is one of empathy, caring and compassion. Every team member, from our key office staff to our network of caregivers, has experienced first hand the frustration, confusion, and helplessness that families go through when watching a loved one lose independence and pride with aging. Everyone on our team is here to make a difference in the lives of families throughout Maine, ensuring you never have to experience those same feelings and always feel that you are part of the CareTree family.
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