Baldness a growing problem for the nation's ladies

Alopecia in women has long been neglected, but as many as 600,000 to 800,000 women in Taiwan are affected by the illness, according to a Tri-Service General Hospital dermatologist.

Several reasons contribute to baldness in women, said Tri-Service General Hospital dermatologist Chao Chao-ming (趙昭明). Among them are hormone changes during menopause, androgenetic alopecia, the side effects of certain medication and disease.

Shutien Hospital dermatologist Cheng Hui-wen (鄭惠文) said that unlike men's baldness, androgenetic alopecia usually causes women to lose hair in the center of their head.

Although medication such as anti-depressants, painkillers and medicine for diabetes and high blood pressure may cause hair loss in women, Chao said patients suffering from these illnesses should not give up their treatment just because they wish to prevent themselves from losing their hair.

Cheng said that stress may be one cause of alopecia areata, but there was a 50 percent chance that the patients' hair would eventually grow back.

Patients can also try steroids or injections to lessen immunoreactions so that their hair may grow back better, she said.

Chao added that many female patients dye their hair to disguise baldness, but the dyes may actually cause more serious side effects.

Chao and Cheng suggested that patients look after their scalp by washing their hair often with a mild shampoo, avoid scratching their scalp and combing their hair while it is wet.

Patients can also wear a wig if they do not feel like taking medicine, but they shouldn't wear it for more than eight hours at a time, as it could contribute to scalp itchiness and folliculitis, Cheng said.