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 issues. Learners will map out inheritance, when it started, and how bad it is to help diagnose androgenetic alopecia and genetic conditions.
Ask about hair loss in close family membersLook into extended family historyFind out when it started and how it progressed in the familySpot family history of scarring hair lossCheck ethnic and racial differences in 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 part looks at mechanical and styling habits that harm hair and scalp. It focuses on pulling, heat, rubbing, and product build-up, with questions to measure how often and how it's done.
Check how often blow-drying and hot tools are usedAsk about heat levels and protectionInquire about tight styles, braids, and extensionsLook at use of wigs, weaves, and hair piecesEvaluate combing, brushing, and untangling routinesIdentify helmets, headwear, and rubbing sourcesLesson 3Symptom-specific questioning: onset, pattern, duration of shedding, pruritus, pain, scalp symptoms, and seasonal variationThis part focuses on specific questions about symptoms for hair and scalp problems. Learners will refine when it started, how long, the pattern, feelings, and triggers to tell apart common hair loss and scalp diseases.
Clarify when symptoms started, speed, and lengthDescribe shedding pattern and daily amountLocate where hair loss is and if it's evenCheck for itching, pain, burning, and sorenessAsk about flakes, spots, and crustsLook into seasonal or repeating symptom changesLesson 4Psychosocial and stress assessment: recent life events, occupational stress, sleep, and mental health screening questionsThis part guides asking about stress, mood, and sleep in a structured way. Learners will link social stressors, worry, sadness, and bad sleep to sudden hair shedding and unhelpful hair habits.
Explore recent big life events and lossesAssess work and caregiving stressScreen for worry, sadness, and exhaustionAsk about sleep length and qualitySpot hair-related body habitsDiscuss ways to cope and support networksLesson 5Medication, supplement, and hormonal history: prescription drugs, OTCs, steroids, contraceptives, and recent changesThis part explains getting a clear list of medicines, supplements, and hormones. It stresses timing of changes, amounts, and known drugs that cause hair loss or shedding.
List all prescribed medicinesReview over-the-counter and herbal itemsCheck 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 part explores lifestyle, food, and substance factors affecting hair. Learners will check nutritional balance, strict eating, weight changes, and exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.
Assess daily and weekly eating habitsScreen for strict or trendy dietsNote recent weight loss and appetite shiftsEvaluate protein and vitamin intakeAsk about alcohol, smoking, and 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 part 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 doctors or emergencies.
Spot 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 careSet rules for urgent specialist referralLesson 8Structured medical history: systemic illnesses, recent infections, surgeries, autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, and chronic conditionsThis part teaches structuring 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 diseasesAsk about recent infections and high feversDocument operations, anaesthesia, 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 part details reproductive and hormone history for hair. Learners will connect menstrual cycles, pregnancy, change of life, desire, and male hormone signs to common hormone 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, spots, and male hormone signsDiscuss desire changes and sexual healthLesson 10Haircare and chemical exposure history: frequency and type of coloring, bleaching, perming, relaxers, professional salon treatments, and at-home productsThis part details systematically checking haircare routines and chemical exposures. Learners will link coloring, straightening, bleaching, and products to breakage, weakness, scalp irritation, and long-term damage.
Document hair washing and conditioning frequencyAssess salon vs home chemical treatmentsClarify history of coloring, bleaching, and toningReview straighteners, curls, and smoothing treatmentsIdentify harsh shampoos or cleanersRecord leave-in, oils, and styling products
