Why Is My Hair Falling Out?
Key takeaways
Normal hair shedding is up to 100 hairs per day, but excessive shedding may indicate telogen effluvium, a common hair loss condition.
Hair loss can be caused by multiple factors, including hormonal changes, thyroid disorders, stress, medications, nutrient deficiencies, and autoimmune conditions like lupus.
Treatment options include medications like finasteride and minoxidil, topical creams, steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, hair transplants, scalp micropigmentation, and laser therapy.
You can lose hair due to factors like nutritional deficiencies and stress. Hair loss can also occur as a side effect of medication or if you have underlying health conditions, such as lupus.
Finding hair in your brush or on your pillow is normal. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people naturally shed up to 100 hairs per day.
However, if you experience excessive hair shedding, you may have telogen effluvium, a common hair loss condition.
Keep reading to learn more about what's causing your hair to fall out and how to treat it.
What are the most common types of hair loss?
There are three common types of hair loss, some of which may affect hair at different stages of the growing cycle:
Telogen effluvium: This type of hair loss is characterized by significant shedding. It affects hair in the resting phase, known as telogen. Around 15% of your hair is telogen, while 85% is androgen.
Androgenic alopecia: This genetic type of hair loss affects hair in the growing stage, known as androgen. It's also known as male or female pattern baldness and affects nearly 1 in 2 people.
Hormonal changes
Several hormonal changes may lead to hair loss.
For instance, changes in estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin following childbirth or during menopause may trigger hair loss.
Similarly, changes in the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone could also trigger hair loss.
Thyroid disorders
Research suggests that thyroid disorders may play a key role in hair shedding and hair loss.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive, producing too many thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones.
According to the British Thyroid Foundation, your hair may take a few months to start growing back once you start treatment for your thyroid disorder.
Learn more about the link between thyroid disorders and hair loss.
Stress
Physical and psychological stress have been closely associated with hair loss.
Acute physical stressors may include:
serious illness
surgery
fever
blood loss
childbirth
The causes of physical stress are often temporary, and the hair loss subsides as the body heals.
Chronic psychological stress and anxiety may increase the speed of your hair cycle, leading to more hair falling out. Several lifestyle changes could help you relieve stress, such as:
exercising for at least 150 minutes weekly
eating a well-balanced diet
meditating
speaking with a friend, family member, or therapist
Medications
Medications can come with many side effects, including hair loss.
Chemotherapy is the most well-known cause, but other medications that may cause hair shedding include:
retinoids
beta-blockers
anticonvulsants
antidepressants
anticoagulants
some oral contraceptives
Speak with a healthcare professional if you take any of these medications and experience hair loss. They could review your treatment plan and recommend an alternative medication or modify your current dosage.
Learn more about medications that can cause hair loss.
Other medical conditions
Many other medical conditions can lead to hair shedding and hair loss, including:
renal failure
liver disease
Crohn's disease
diabetes
psoriasis
dermatitis
ringworm of the scalp
folliculitis
Treatment
Hair loss has been associated with lower self-esteem, body image issues, and a lower quality of life.
However, it's important to note that you're not alone in experiencing hair loss. Several treatments could also help you slow the shedding or even promote hair growth. These may include:
medications, such as finasteride and minoxidil
topical creams
steroid injections
platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
hair transplant
scalp micropigmentation
laser therapy
Some natural remedies like coconut oil, aloe vera, and fish oil may also help.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my hair falling out so much all of a sudden?
Your hair may suddenly be falling out if you recently experienced stress caused by hormonal changes, fever, surgery, childbirth, and certain health conditions. You may also experience hair loss if you just started taking a new medication, such as beta-blockers and anticonvulsants.
How do I know if I'm losing too much hair?
How much hair you lose is subjective. If you notice a lot of hair around your home or new bald spots, thinning hair, or hair that pulls easily when you examine your scalp, speak with a doctor. They could provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for you.
Why does my hair fall out in the shower?
Hair loss during your shower is normal because you're adding stress to your scalp by pulling your hair. However, sudden, excessive hair loss may be caused by an underlying health condition, stress, or taking certain medications.
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