Hair is nothing but a type of protein filament that grows from the follicles, located deep within the dermis. Hair loss can take place due to a wide range of factors, right from nutritional deficiencies to hereditary, hormonal imbalances, and certain illnesses. Hair loss can occur in any part of the body, though body hair loss is quite rare as compared to hair loss in the scalp. Both men and women can face this problem, which often indicates some underlying medical conditions. In medical terms, this condition is known as alopecia. Causes Alopecia Areata One of the common causes for this problem is a disease, known as alopecia areata. It is a skin condition that can cause hair loss in both scalp and the body. Hair loss has been observed to take place in small patches, though rarely, it can lead to complete loss of hair on the body. Both men and women can suffer from this condition, where, generally hair regrows after some time. The exact causes of alopecia areata are not known and it is considered as an autoimmune disease. Hormonal Imbalance Hair growth is regulated by hormones and hence, hormonal imbalances can trigger both growth and loss of hair. Apart from hormonal fluctuations, this condition can be caused by several illnesses and certain medications as well. For example, steroids and testosterone products, which are generally used for muscle-building, can trigger hair loss on the scalp and body. Andropause can be another cause for men to lose all their body hair. It can be termed as a menopause like condition in men, where the level of the hormone, testosterone reduces with advancing age. This is more commonly observed in middle-aged men, who as a result, experience large-scale hair loss on the scalp. This condition can also cause hair loss in the entire body, including the armpit and the pubic region. Menopause and Pregnancy Women can experience excessive hair loss at the time of menopause. Menopause is characterized by a gradual decline in the level of estrogen hormone, which is required by the hair follicles. It can happen to women and they can start losing their hair gradually or abruptly. In addition to body hair, a woman, at the time of menopause can experience excessive hair loss on the scalp and also in the pubic region. Contrary to this, she can observe hair growth in some other areas of the body. Alopecia can also be experienced by women after childbirth, while growth of hair can be stimulated during pregnancy, due to the increase in the level of estrogen. Fungal Infections Ringworm, a kind of fungus causes hair loss in many animals including humans. It can affect the feet, body, and the scalp and cause hair loss in these areas. It is a contagious disease, that requires specific antifungal medications to be cured. Some other causes are thyroid problems, nutritional deficiency or malnutrition, infection, severe and chronic illness, cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, etc. So, proper diagnosis would be required to determine and address the exact causes. So, there can be varied reasons behind body hair loss, each of which would require specific diagnosis and treatment. Most of the time, this problem is a symptom of some other underlying illness or disorder. Therefore, it is essential to contact a physician, if one starts losing excess hair, all of a sudden. In the meantime, eating a balanced diet, rich in protein and iron would go a long way in preventing hair loss and keeping you healthy. Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.