The most common cause for alopecia is male pattern baldness, which can also occur in females.

Additional causes of alopecia include:

• Chemotherapy
• Hypothyroidism
• Inflammation of the hair follicles
• Medications:
• Oral contraceptives
• Beta-blockers
• Lupus
• Over production of oil in the hair follicle
• Polycystic ovarian disease
• Poor diet
• Radiation therapy
• Sarcoidosis
• Scalp infection:
• Fungal
• Bacterial
• Stress
• Traction on the hair strands: tight head wraps and pony tails