Hair fall

Hair is a crown that we wear for the lifetime. Strong and healthy hair is always a sign of beauty and health. It is normal to shed a certain amount of hair every day. More the falling of hair more distress and worry it creates.

Acute hair shedding may indicated telogen effluvium, whereas chronic hair thinning may indicates androgenetic alopecia.

TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM

One of the common cause of hair loss. Diffuse hair shedding due to the disturbance in hair cycle. Patient may loss up to 1000 hair a day triggered by shampooing or brushing.

Causes

· Rapid weight loss, Hypoalbuminemia

· Severe stress

· Iron deficiency

· Thyroid dysfunction

· Postpartum (after delivery)

· Fever

ANDROGENETIC ALOPAECIA

Also known as common balding characterised by shedding and thinning of certain areas on the scalp. It is the progressive miniaturization of hair which means a progressive transformation of coarse terminal hair into fine vellus hair.

ANAGEN EFFLUVIUM

Large amount of hair fall out during the anagen/ growth phase.

This may cause falling out of hair from head as well as from part of the body, eyebrows and eyelashes.

Causes

· Chemotherapy

· Radiation

· Fungal infection

· Autoimmune diseases

ALOPECIA AREATA

It is an autoimmune disease that cause hair to fallout suddenly. Hair follicles through out the body is affected.

TRACTION ALOPECIA

Due to pulling hair to tight hairstyles which cause it to break or come loose. It may cause spot baldness or thinning of hair.

MEDICATIONS

Side effects of some medication cause falling out of hair. Such medications are

· Blood thinners like warfarin

· Acne treatment

· Antidepressants

· Beta blockers

· Cholesterol lowering drugs.

NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY

Extreme dieting that are too low in proteins and certain vitamins and iron can sometimes cause excessive hair loss.

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

People may experience hair loss while using or stopping birth control pills. If using them, choose one that has a low androgen index .It is safer for one who has genetic tendency for hair loss opt for a non- hormonal type of birth control.

RING WORM

Fungal infection of the scalp can cause hair loss. Present like small spot that get bigger, brittle hair that breaks easily, itchy red patches of skin, oozing blisters on the scalp.

SOLUTIONS

Treatment of the cause only gives permanent solution.

NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT

· Iron- Non vegetarian food, green leafy vegetables, sesame seed, dates, beetroot, nuts are good source of iron. Vegan or vegetarian food have high risk of iron deficiency.

· Egg- They are good source of protein and biotin. Eating egg white only without yolk will not give biotin.

· Omega 3 fatty acid- In fish like tuna, mackerel etc. Nuts are the vegetarian source.

· Green leafy vegetables- Source of Vit A, B, carotein, folate, Vit C.

· Fruits like oranges, grapes, berries, cherries are rich in vit C. They helps in iron absorption and make collagen, build hair and helps in hair loss.

· Carrots and avocado will help in fast growth of hair and produce sebum.

· Avoid over supplementation of certain nutrients like Vit A, Vit E etc which will cause hair loss.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homoeopathy helps in uproot major causes like thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, postpartum stress, dandruff etc . As it proved its efficiency in psychosomatic disorders, hair fall due to mental stress can easily be managed with homoeopathy.