Lesson 1Family and genetic history: patterns of hair loss in first- and second-degree relatives and age of onsetThis part teaches how to ask about family hair loss and scalp conditions in Eritrean families. Learners will chart inheritance, start age, and severity to aid diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia and genetic issues common in the region.
Inquire about hair loss in close relativesInclude extended family membersSpecify start age and family progressionNote family cases of scarring hair lossConsider ethnic variations in patternsSketch a basic family hair loss treeLesson 2Styling and mechanical factors: heat tool use, drying practices, tight hairstyles, hair accessory use, and parting habitsThis section looks at mechanical and styling habits causing hair and scalp harm in Eritrean settings. It stresses traction, heat, friction, and product buildup, with questions on how often and how they are done.
Check blow-drying and hot tool frequencyAsk about heat levels and protectionDiscuss tight braids and extensionsReview wigs, weaves, and hair additionsEvaluate combing and brushing routinesSpot helmet and headwear frictionLesson 3Symptom-specific questioning: onset, pattern, duration of shedding, pruritus, pain, scalp symptoms, and seasonal variationThis focuses on specific questions for hair and scalp symptoms in Eritrea. Learners will detail start, length, pattern, feelings, and triggers to separate common hair loss and scalp diseases.
Detail symptom start, speed, and lengthDescribe shedding pattern and daily lossLocate hair loss areas and balanceCheck itching, pain, burning, tendernessAsk on flakes, pimples, and crustsLook at seasonal or repeating changesLesson 4Psychosocial and stress assessment: recent life events, occupational stress, sleep, and mental health screening questionsThis guides questions on stress, mood, and sleep in Eritrean contexts. Learners link social pressures, worry, sadness, and bad sleep to hair shedding and unhelpful hair habits.
Discuss recent big life changes and lossesCheck work and care-giving stressScreen for worry, sadness, exhaustionAsk on sleep length and qualitySpot repeating hair body habitsTalk coping ways and support networksLesson 5Medication, supplement, and hormonal history: prescription drugs, OTCs, steroids, contraceptives, and recent changesThis explains getting exact lists of medicines, supplements, and hormones in Eritrea. It highlights change times, amounts, and known drug effects on hair loss or shedding triggers.
List all prescribed medicines fullyCheck over-counter and herbal itemsScreen for skin drugs, blood thinners, chemoAssess birth control and hormone treatmentsClarify recent dose or plan changesMatch drug times with hair shiftsLesson 6Lifestyle, nutrition, and substance use: diet patterns, protein and micronutrient intake, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and recent weight loss or dietingThis explores lifestyle, food, and substance factors affecting hair in Eritrean diets. Learners check food balance, strict eating, weight shifts, and exposure to alcohol, tobacco, caffeine.
Check daily and weekly eating habitsScreen for strict or trend dietsNote recent weight drop and hunger changesEvaluate protein and small nutrient intakeAsk on alcohol, smoking, vapingReview caffeine and energy drinksLesson 7Red flags and urgent symptoms: sudden hair loss, scarring signs, pustules, systemic symptoms, or rapid progression that require immediate referralThis trains Eritrean clinicians to spot urgent symptoms needing quick action. It stresses fast loss, scarring, pimples, body illness, and when to rush to skin doctors or emergencies.
Spot sudden wide or spotty hair lossRecognize scarring and thinning signsScreen for painful, swollen, pus-filled spotsLink fever, weight loss, night sweatsFlag fast worsening despite careSet rules for urgent expert referralLesson 8Structured medical history: systemic illnesses, recent infections, surgeries, autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, and chronic conditionsThis teaches building a short but full medical history in Eritrea. Focus on body illnesses, hormone and immune diseases, infections, operations, and long-term conditions affecting hair growth.
Screen for thyroid and other hormone issuesReview immune and tissue diseasesAsk recent infections and high feversNote operations, anesthesia, hospital staysAssess long liver, kidney, gut problemsReview long pain, tiredness, other signsLesson 9Reproductive and endocrine history: menstrual pattern, pregnancies, menopausal symptoms, libido changes, and signs of androgen excessThis details reproductive and hormone history for hair in Eritrean women. Learners connect periods, pregnancy, change of life, desire, and male hormone signs to common hormone hair losses.
Clarify first period, cycle length, regularityAsk pregnancies, births, lossesReview after-birth hair sheddingScreen hot flashes and change timingAssess extra hair, spots, male signsDiscuss desire changes and functionLesson 10Haircare and chemical exposure history: frequency and type of coloring, bleaching, perming, relaxers, professional salon treatments, and at-home productsThis details checking haircare routines and chemical exposures in Eritrea. Learners link coloring, straightening, bleaching, products to breakage, weakness, scalp itch, and long damage.
Note hair wash and condition frequencyAssess salon vs home chemical workClarify coloring, bleaching, toning historyReview straighteners, curls, keratin workIdentify harsh shampoo useRecord leave-in, oil, styling products
