Diabetes is a disease that strikes more and more people every day. Most people do not realize that thinning of the hair or hair loss is one of the early symptoms of diabetes. With early detection and treatment, hair loss as well as other complications can be avoided. There are many factors leading to the development of diabetes, including stress. Diabetes affects the body on every level and can cause excessive anxiety which is a well known contributor to hair loss.

Diabetes begins when the body becomes incapable of producing the insulin necessary for the metabolization of carbohydrates. One particular issue for individuals with diabetes is the increase in the possibility of skin problems due to poor circulation of the blood and the elevation of blood sugar levels. Sufferers of diabetes become more inclined to bruise, and their injuries take more time to heal, with their recovery time increasing in all aspects, including hair re-growth. This will cause a significant loss in hair. Additionally, those who suffer from diabetes are more susceptible to infections of both the bacterial type and fungal type in the scalp, further promoting the loss of hair.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Among its symptoms are alopecia areata, which is characterized by small bald patches on the scalp, and the skin condition vitiligo, which involves the loss of pigment on skin in areas such as the hands, face, and genitalia. A variety of other serious health problems often occur alongside diabetes, such as thyroid dysfunction or pernicious anemia, which occurs when the stomach lining does not secrete enough of the enzymes needed to sufficiently absorb the B12 vitamin.

Patients and even their doctors often overlook or even ignore the early symptoms of diabetes. Because of this, it may go undetected for some time, and as a result the patient may go blind or suffer from kidney failure or heart disease. If diabetes is discovered in the early stages, the progress of the disease can be slowed or even halted by treatment. The patient can be saved from undue loss of hair, and live longer and healthier. Patients with diabetes must make a commitment to consistent lifestyle management if their disease is to be controlled.

As hair loss may be a sign of a serious medical problem, ruling out a medical cause for hair loss is important. For example, hair loss usually begins with the onset of diabetes, increasing in severity as diabetes progresses. Consulting a physician is also important in order to prevent further hair loss, if possible and desirable. Over the counter lotions and conditioners are readily available for treating hair loss, but the majority are entirely ineffective, and even the best over the counter topical medication treatments are generally only partially successful. Physicians have other options available, including oral medications and hair transplant surgeries, to help you treat hair loss effectively.