Losing hair isn’t normally something to worry about, but if your hair is coming out in larger amounts than normal, experts have said you may be dealing with an ‘internal’ issue
Your hair falling out could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
We all lose some hair every single day. Having a few strands fall out when we shower or brush our hair isn’t usually anything to worry about, and it’s normal to lose up to 100 strands on any given day. But if you’re losing more hair than is usual for you, then experts say it could be a sign of an “internal disturbance” in another area of your body.
Phillip Kingsley’s consultant trichologist Anabel Kingsley explained that hair is a “non-essential tissue”, which means its needs are given “last priority” in our bodies. So if something is wrong elsewhere, your body will do what it can to fix that issue first, leaving your hair without the nutrients and attention it needs.
So, what does it mean when your hair is coming out in clumps? Excessive hair loss is known as ‘telogen effluvium’, and according to Anabel, it can have several different causes. Most commonly, however, the condition is caused by some sort of vitamin deficiency in the body, the Daily Mail reports.
Anabel said: “The most common causes of telogen effluvium are iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency, thyroid disorders including hypothyroid and hyperthyroid and rapid weight loss.”
There may be other reasons for your hair loss too, however, including a poor diet – involving skipping meals or restricting food groups – stress, high fevers, having surgery under general anaesthesia, certain medications, and even starting or stopping the contraceptive pill.
In cases where a high fever or illness causes hair loss, the problem may be resolved as soon as your body has fought off the illness and you’re back to your usual healthy self. However, ongoing health factors such as vitamin deficiencies or a thyroid imbalance could mean your hair loss continues “for a long time”, according to GP and medical nutritionist Doctor Sarah Brewer.
Explaining how anaemia can cause hair loss, Dr Brewer said: “Anaemia literally means ‘without blood’ and relates to having low levels of the red pigment, haemoglobin, within your circulating red blood cells which can mean hair follicle cells don’t receive enough oxygen for their needs.
“Ferritin is an iron-storage protein and levels fall when your iron levels are low. Meat eaters are less prone to iron deficiency anaemia than non-meat eaters, as meat is rich in iron. Plant-based iron – found in beans, legumes and dried fruits – is absorbed more easily if eaten together with a source of vitamin C such as fresh orange juice.”
Stress can also cause hair loss, as stress hormones cause blood vessels to constrict which reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. Prolonged periods of stress can shorten hair life cycles, which can mean you lose a lot of hair at once, causing rapid thinning.
Finding the cause of your hair loss is vital to help treat it, and Anabel said “thorough blood testing is essential” to find the best ways to treat both the underlying condition and the resulting hair loss. And if you notice hair loss for longer than three months, or if it stops and starts again, she recommends booking an appointment with a trichologist.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at [email protected].
