Hair loss; in medical terms, Alopecia can affect everyone but is widespread in males. Typically, people lose 50 to 100 hair strands per day and new hairs keep growing at the same time. This condition is normal and doesn’t mean you can face severe alopecia or baldness anytime soon. But when replacement of fallen out hair by new hair ceases, this means that you’re facing hair shedding which needs to be treated.
What Causes Your Hair to fall out?
Causes of hair fall vary individually which include:
- certain medications and drugs
- Hormonal Changes
- Excessive Hairstyling (frequent pulling of hair tightly can cause traction alopecia)
- Stress
- Sudden Weight gain or loss
- Genetics (also known as hereditary baldness, exists based on the history in your family)
- Poor Nutrition/ Iron Deficiency
- Certain diseases like lupus, thyroid, and diabetes
There may exist a variety of other causes that exist in females and do not occur in men like alopecia post-childbirth, due to birth control pills, etc.
What causes hair loss in females?
If you are noticing intense thinning or shedding of hair while taking shower or combing then it could be due to any of the following reasons :
- Hereditary Hair Loss :
Just like men, women are also susceptible to hereditary androgenic alopecia. Such patients are diagnosed with a pattern and history of similar baldness in the patient’s family. Minoxidil and Finasteride are the foremost used treatments to treat this type of problem.
- Childbirth :
After delivery, some women experience normal shedding while others may undergo extreme shedding. This type of hair shedding is called Telogen Effluvium and lasts for usually 4 months.
- Nutritional Deficiency:
The deficiency of major nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamins, and proteins can also cause severe alopecia. Thus, it is vital to possess a healthy nutritious diet.
- Medications:
Certain medications can result in drastic hair loss in men and women. These medications are usually those to manage diseases like cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, anxiety, depression, etc.
- Stress:
Not your average day to day stress will give you alopecia but intense series of emotional stress can seriously harm your health also causing your hair to fall out.
- Traction Alopecia:
Traction Alopecia was provoked by excessive pulling of hair. It is pretty common in women as they make such hairstyles (tight braids and ponytails etc) which cause thinning of the hairline and eventually damage the follicles.
- Heat-Styling :
Frequent use of straighteners, blow dryers, etc can damage the hair shaft. This condition is called Trichorrhexis Nodosa and can be treated by avoiding harsh chemicals and hot tools.
Can hair loss be a sign of something serious?
Besides all the probable causes of alopecia we’ve discussed, there could be some serious medical conditions that can cause hair fall. These medical conditions generally include lupus, psoriasis, and hypothyroidism and are characterized by itching, burning, and pain in your scalp.
When this happens, a person typically catches the hair fall on other parts of the body as well. As said by Dr. Shapiro, “if you’re losing hair on other parts of the body then there must be something more going on.”(meaning it could be a symptom of your poor health).
What is the best vitamin for hair loss?
Hair fall when prompted by the lack of essential nutrients, needs a balanced level of those nutrients to regain healthy hair. A person should have an adequate amount of nutrients i.e. Iron levels should be above 70, Folic acid (above 5), vitamin b12 should be above 400, etc.
One specialist doctor says, “everybody who faces hair loss has some sort of vitamin deficiency.”
Vitamins (vitamin A, B, C, D, E), Iron, Zinc, and Protein all are important for maintaining a healthy scalp of hair.
How can I stop my hair from thinning and falling out?
Several steps that one can take to stop hair from thinning and falling out are:
- keeping a healthy diet (lots of vitamins, proteins, etc. Few key players here are zinc, vitamin b12, and iron)
- Keep you hydrated
- De-stress yourself (meditate, do what you like and give some time to yourself)
- Minimize heat styling
- Listen to your body (see what your hair fall is trying to tell you)
- Avoid excessive tight hairstyles
- Use multivitamins
- Massage (it can stimulate hair growth by providing good circulation to your head)
In conclusion, take good care of your hair. Eat healthy, live healthy. After all, your hair is a reflection of your health.
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