Baldness can be the result of illness. Scarlet fever, pneumonia, and typhoid fever can cause hair loss. Other issues like imbalance in hormones and gland issues can lead to baldness. Scalp disease, poor care of hair and scalp and poor nutrition can also lead to baldness. The most common type of baldness has nothing to do with health, it is called patter baldness. THis is the kind of baldness that usually begins on the back of the head of recedes from the temples at the hairline. This is inherited and once it begins it can be difficult to stop. The baldness trait can even be inherited from the mother instead of the father. This trait doesn’t appear in women but they can pass the trait on.