Lesson 1Family and genetic history: patterns of hair loss in first- and second-degree relatives and age of onsetThis part covers asking about family patterns of hair loss and scalp conditions. Learners map inheritance, starting age, and severity to help diagnose androgenetic alopecia and genetic conditions.
Ask about hair loss in close family membersInclude extended family in the historyClarify when hair loss started and how it progressed in familyIdentify family history of scarring hair lossExplore differences in ethnic and racial patternsDraw a simple family tree for hair lossLesson 2Styling and mechanical factors: heat tool use, drying practices, tight hairstyles, hair accessory use, and parting habitsThis section looks at mechanical and styling habits that harm hair and scalp. It focuses on pulling, heat, rubbing, and product buildup, with questions to measure how often and how they are done.
Check how often blow-drying and hot tools are usedClarify heat levels and use of protectionAsk about tight styles, braids, and extensionsReview use of wigs, weaves, and hair piecesEvaluate combing, brushing, and untangling habitsIdentify helmets, headwear, and rubbing sourcesLesson 3Symptom-specific questioning: onset, pattern, duration of shedding, pruritus, pain, scalp symptoms, and seasonal variationThis section targets symptom questions for hair and scalp issues. Learners refine start time, length, pattern, feelings, and triggers to tell apart common hair loss and scalp disease types.
Clarify start, speed, and length of symptomsDescribe shedding pattern and daily amountLocate hair loss areas and balanceAssess itching, pain, burning, and sorenessAsk about flakes, spots, and crustsExplore changes with seasons or cyclesLesson 4Psychosocial and stress assessment: recent life events, occupational stress, sleep, and mental health screening questionsThis section guides questions on stress, mood, and sleep. Learners link social stressors, worry, sadness, and poor sleep to sudden hair shedding and unhelpful hair habits.
Explore recent big life changes and lossesAssess work and caregiving stress levelsScreen for worry, sadness, and exhaustionAsk about sleep length and qualityIdentify repeated body behaviors focused on hairDiscuss ways to cope and support networksLesson 5Medication, supplement, and hormonal history: prescription drugs, OTCs, steroids, contraceptives, and recent changesThis section shows how to get a clear list of medicines, supplements, and hormones. It stresses timing of changes, amounts, and known triggers for drug-related hair loss or shedding.
List all prescribed medicines fullyReview over-the-counter and herbal itemsScreen for skin treatments, blood thinners, and cancer drugsAssess birth control and hormone treatmentsClarify recent changes in dose or routineLink drug timeline to hair changesLesson 6Lifestyle, nutrition, and substance use: diet patterns, protein and micronutrient intake, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and recent weight loss or dietingThis section explores daily life, food, and substance factors affecting hair. Learners check nutritional balance, limited eating, weight shifts, and exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.
Assess usual daily and weekly eating patternsScreen for strict or trendy dieting historyDocument recent weight loss and hunger changesEvaluate protein and vitamin intakeAsk about alcohol, smoking, and vapingReview caffeine and energy drink useLesson 7Red flags and urgent symptoms: sudden hair loss, scarring signs, pustules, systemic symptoms, or rapid progression that require immediate referralThis section trains clinicians to spot warning symptoms needing quick action. It focuses on fast loss, scarring, spots, body-wide illness, and when to rush to skin specialists or emergencies.
Identify sudden widespread or patchy hair lossRecognize scarring and thinning signsScreen for painful, swollen, or pus-filled spotsLink fever, weight loss, or night sweatsFlag fast worsening despite careful careDefine needs for urgent expert referralLesson 8Structured medical history: systemic illnesses, recent infections, surgeries, autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, and chronic conditionsThis section teaches building a short but full medical history. Focus is on body-wide illnesses, hormone and immune diseases, infections, operations, and long-term conditions affecting hair growth.
Screen for thyroid and other hormone diseasesReview immune and joint tissue diseasesAsk about recent infections and high feversDocument operations, anesthesia, and hospital staysAssess long-term liver, kidney, and gut problemsReview ongoing pain, tiredness, and other symptomsLesson 9Reproductive and endocrine history: menstrual pattern, pregnancies, menopausal symptoms, libido changes, and signs of androgen excessThis section covers reproductive and hormone history for hair. Learners link monthly cycles, pregnancy, change of life, desire changes, and male hormone signs to common hormone-related hair loss.
Clarify first period, cycle length, and regularityAsk about pregnancies, births, and lossesReview hair shedding after birthScreen for hot flashes and change of life timingAssess extra hair growth, spots, and male signsDiscuss desire changes and intimate functionLesson 10Haircare and chemical exposure history: frequency and type of coloring, bleaching, perming, relaxers, professional salon treatments, and at-home productsThis section shows how to check haircare routines and chemical contacts systematically. Learners connect coloring, straightening, lightening, and product use to breakage, weakness, scalp itch, and long-term damage.
Document hair washing and conditioning frequencyAssess salon vs home chemical treatmentsClarify history of coloring, lightening, and toningReview straighteners, curls, and smoothing treatmentsIdentify use of strong shampoos or cleanersRecord leave-in, oil, and styling product use
