Hi, I'm new to this site and I am worried because my hair is falling out. I've always noticed strands of hair on my brush and on the bathroom floor, but it has never alarmed me until now. I am 43 years old and in good health. I have been blow drying my hair for many years and flat ironing for the last three years. I wonder if this could be a factor because I read something about traction alopecia. At any rate, the hair loss is especially noticeable when I wash my hair. When I apply conditioner in the shower, I always come through gently to distribute evently. Lately, an alarming amount of hair has been coming out with the comb. Also, periodically throughout the day at work, I notice a strand here and there on my desk. I also noticed that my part goes back further (to back of my head) than normal. Help! I don't want to go bald. And just in case this is the cause, I've stopped using the flat iron. Can you help?

I am afraid anything said here would just be guesses as to what the cause/s may be. It could be due to so many things. The only way to know for sure is to go to your doctor and find out what may be happening and what can be done.

Normal hair loss is about 100 hairs a day. Don't wash your hair less regularly as then it will appear that your hair loss is increasing.

I'm guessing you're female, in which case yes, there could be many causes. If it's sudden hair loss this could be stress related. Women get inherited baldness just as men do, but it shows as a thinning of the hair over the top of the scalp, so it could be that if it's progressing slowly. Minoxidil is the usual, FDA approved, treatment for that.

Traction Alopecia tends to be associated with hair styles that cause chronic tension, things like too tight a ponytail or braids, and only affect the hairs under tension.

First place, the doc just to check there's no underlying problem, but otherwise have a search for 'hair loss clinic' online. There's an online diagnosis form here The Belgravia Centre UK hair loss and scalp problem clinic (http://www.belgraviacentre.com/frame_online.php) , maybe let us know what comes back from that.

I've been going through this as well, but I am about half your age. :( I stopped flat ironing and started taking Biotin and Prenatal vitamins. Use shampoo and conditioners for breakage and strengthening hair, like Garnier Fructis Strength & Repair.