It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs each day, according to the Mayo Clinic. But what if it feels like you’re losing more? Hair loss can come in many forms—a receding hairline, general thinning, a widening part and even bald patches—and for a variety of reasons.

Hair can be a good indicator of general health. Stress, pregnancy, thyroid problems, poor nutrition and weight loss can affect one’s mane. Medicines and supplements can also bring the side effect of hair loss. Moral of the story: If your hair’s starting to look unhealthy, consider seeing a doctor.

Generally speaking, the best way to protect your hair is to treat it gently, eat healthy, avoid smoking and stay out of the sun. Here are some other good things to know …

TYPES OF HAIR LOSS

Androgenic Alopecia

• Symptoms:In men, baldness typically manifests by way of a receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown of the head. In women, hair loss begins with a thinning along the part and then along the top of the head, according to Harvard Women’s Health Watch.

• Cause: Blame heredity, aging and hormones for this common type of hair loss, also known as male- and female-pattern baldness. While men are most famously affected by this form of hair loss, it affects women, too. In fact, more than half of all women have thinning hair by age 70, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• Treatment: Unfortunately, this type of hair loss is not preventable, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can be held somewhat at bay with an over-the-counter minoxidil foam such as Rogaine, but that only works as long as you use it.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium, also known as stress-related hair loss, basically causes one’s body to put hair growing on pause. The American Academy of Dermatology Association emphasizes that this is “hair shedding” rather than hair loss.

• Symptoms: A bunch of hair seems to fall out at once, maybe in the shower or in a hair brush.

• Cause: You’re not just imagining things. Stress, shock and trauma really can make hair fall out. And it generally happens a few months after the initial cause of intense stress.

• Treatment: Easier said than done, especially during a pandemic, but you’ve got to manage the stress. As the body exits panic mode, it will divert resources back to nonessential functions, such as hair growth. A doctor can also help with more complex treatments, if needed.

Alopecia Areata

• Symptoms: Loss of hair in seemingly random patches. Hair generally returns in a year or less, according to Harvard Medical School.

• Cause: Most likely, this is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own hair follicles, more often seen in people with asthma, allergies, thyroid problems and vitiligo.

• Treatment: There’s no full cure, but there are steroid treatments that can help. Check with a doctor.

Traction Alopecia

• Symptoms: Thinning of the hair, usually along the hairline and temples. Warning signs include tenderness, stinging, crusting, a pulling sensation and even small bumps.

• Cause: Wearing tight hairstyles, weaves and wigs can damage the scalp and cause bald spots, hair thinning and even scarring in severe cases, according to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (uihc.org). Rough style techniques, hot tools and harsh chemicals can also cause damage.

• Treatment: If caught early, hair will grow back. Otherwise, hair loss can be permanent. To improve or prevent traction alopecia, be gentle with your hair. Wear loose, large braids, rather than small, tight ones, and low ponytails instead of high ones. Take regular breaks from hair extensions, switch up your style often and wear a satin wig cap.

Coping with hair loss

Sure, a generation of buff male entertainers have taught us it’s cool to rock the cue ball look, and we salute them for it. But for many people, hair loss can be legitimately distressing. Hair is a part of a person’s identity, and losing it can feel like losing a part of yourself. Don’t discount your feelings. Seek help from a mental health professional and/or support group.

COVID-19 and hair loss

Add healthy hair to the list of things negatively affected by the pandemic. COVID-19 is indeed driving us to lose our hair, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss can happen after any fever as the body’s response to illness. And even if you’ve managed to avoid COVID-19, the general stress of the times can cause hair shedding. The good news? It’s typically a temporary issue that’ll resolve on its own. Just focus on being as healthy and relaxed as possible.

A historic Vegas solution

For 40 years, Serge’s Wigs has been helping Las Vegans look their best. With the tagline “Where the stars and showgirls buy their wigs,” this classic Vegas wig shop stocks both natural and synthetic wigs and hairpieces for all genders, ages and occasions, along with costumes. The full-service “wig salon” offers washing, styling, fitting, cutting and alterations. 4515 W. Sahara Ave., 702-207-7494, sergeswigs.com.