It is not contagious, nor is it caused by food or stress but it can run in families. It can take months or years for hair to reappear, but rarely is the hair loss permanent. This is the term for male and female pattern baldness that slowly occurs over time. The cause is believed to be genetic and not related to stress or foods. For men, the hair loss begins at the temples and spreads to the top of the head.
Women experience a general thinning of hair throughout the scalp.
Treatment for androgenic alopecia can come in the form of medication like Rogaine or Propecia or in hair transplants. Alopecia Totalis Similar to alopecia areata, but hair loss affects eyebrows and eyelashes as well as scalp. Alopecia Universalis Similar to alopecia areata, but hair loss affects entire body surface, including underarms and pubic hair. Traction Alopecia Hair loss which results from tension on the scalp caused by tight braids, winding hair too tightly on curlers, and other hairstyles. Anagen Effluvium Hair loss usually caused by radiation therapy or systemic chemotherapy.