What Causes Rapid Hair Loss In Females

Rapid Or Sudden Hair Loss In Women

In general, men tend to suffer more from gradual hai rloss, whereas women often experience sudden hair loss. This is because the cause of hair loss tends to be different. In men, the main reason for hair loss is male pattern baldness, and although it may feel sudden, it is actually a gradual process.

Sudden hair loss in women is actually somewhat common, and is usually caused by some form of hormonal imbalance. This hormonal imbalance in women can be caused by such things as pregnancy, menopause, poor nutrition, and numerous psycological problems such as stress and anxiety. To prevent this form of hair loss, the hormones must be go back to normal levels, which means dealing with the problems that caused it in the first place. With regards to pregnancy or menopause, there is not much you can do, and the easiest solution is to wait a short amount of time while your body sorts its hormones out.

If the problem is stress or poor nutrition, these problems must be dealt with first. Poor nutrition is an easy solution, involving a balanced diet rich in healthy foods. The first step to changing your diet would be to make sure you are eating enough foods from the four main food groups: . Eating disorders are a common cause of poor nutrition in women, and should be dealt with by a professional.

What Is Androgenetic Or Androgenic Alopecia

This type of alopecia is often attributed to genetic predisposition and family history. Androgenic alopecia appears in both men and women. The hair loss in men is often faster, earlier onset, and more extensive.

Doctors refer to common baldness as “androgenetic alopecia” or “androgenic alopecia,” which implies that a combination of hormones and heredity is necessary to develop the condition. The exact cause of this pattern is unknown.

Male-pattern baldness

Even men who never “go bald” thin out somewhat over the years. Unlike those with reversible telogen shedding, those with common male-pattern hair loss don’t notice much hair coming out they just see that it’s not there anymore. Adolescent boys notice some receding near the temples as their hairlines change from the straight-across boys’ pattern to the more “M-shaped” pattern of adult men. This normal development does not mean they are losing hair.

Some “myths” about male-pattern baldness

Why Am I Losing So Much Hair In The Shower

According to a 2017 research review, an increase in clumps of hair in the shower is often due to telogen effluvium.

This condition occurs more hairs are in the telogen phase and, thus, fall out more easily.

The same research review above showed that the most common trigger is something many people know well: stress..

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And Here’s What You Can Do To Fix It:

Ok, so now you know what triggering the hair loss, here’s how to deal with it…

Recognise the problem

Hair loss doesn’t happen fast, our strands grow in cycles, which means it can take up to 3 months for hair to fall out after a trigger has caused it. “If you notice excessive daily hair shedding for longer than 3 months, see a trichologist or your GP, there could be an underlying factor that needs to be addressed”, Anabel advises. “Very importantly, try not to panic. Telogen effluvium is almost always self-eliminating and hair will start to grow back as usual once any internal imbalance is put right”.

Change up your diet

1) Get More Protein

“Hair is made of protein, making adequate daily intake of protein rich foods essential. Include at least a palm sized portion of protein at breakfast and lunch .” Anabel recommends.

2) Complex carbohydrates are essential

“They provide our hair with the energy it needs to grow. Snack on a healthy carbohydrates if longer than four hours is left between meals as energy available to hair cells drops after this amount of time.”

That being said, Anabel explained that if you are losing your hair because of something other than diet, like stress or an illness, changing what you eat will not remedy it.

Take a supplement

Anabel recommends looking out for the following ingredients: Iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Copper, Zinc, Selenium, and the essential amino acids, L-Lysine and L-Methionine.

Head message = more than self-care

What Is Alopecia Areata

A common skin condition, alopecia areata usually starts as a single quarter-sized circle of perfectly smooth bald skin. These patches usually regrow in three to six months without treatment. Sometimes, white hair temporarily regrows and then becomes dark. The most extensive form is alopecia totalis, in which the entire scalp goes bald. It’s important to emphasize that patients who have localized hair loss generally don’t go on to lose hair all over the scalp. Alopecia areata can affect hair on other parts of the body, too .

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks its own hair follicles. Most patients, however, do not have systemic problems and need no medical tests. While people frequently blame alopecia areata on “stress,” in fact, it may be the other way around that is, having alopecia may cause stress.

Under normal conditions, scalp hairs live for about three years they then enter the telogen, or resting, phase. During the three-month telogen period, the hair root shrivels up into a small “club,” then the hair falls out. It is therefore normal to lose about 100 hairs every day, more of them on days when shampooing loosens the hairs that are ready to fall out. The body then replaces the hairs.

• severe illness,
• severe emotional stress or loss.

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Is Hair Loss A Sign Of Thyroid Problems

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse. Regrowth is usual with successful treatment of the thyroid disorder, though it will take several months and may be incomplete.

Hair Loss In All Ages

Although certain causes of hair loss might be more common at specific times of life, many of them can happen at all ages. For example, hormone imbalances, infections, vitamin deficiencies, and autoimmune diseases affect women of all ages and these may lead to hair loss. There are also rare inflammatory conditions that cause permanent damage to hair follicles.

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Causes Of Hair Loss In Women

How to fix unexplained, excessive hair loss.

Reversing Hair Loss

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a phenomenon that occurs after pregnancy, major surgery, drastic weight loss, or extreme stress, in which you shed large amounts of hair every day, usually when shampooing, styling, or brushing. It can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants, beta-blockers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. During telogen effluvium, hair shifts faster than normal from its growing phase into the “resting” phase before moving quickly into the shedding, or telogen, phase.

The symptoms: Women with telogen effluvium typically notice hair loss 6 weeks to 3 months after a stressful event. At its peak, you may lose handfuls of hair.

The tests: There are no tests for telogen effluvium, but your doctor may ask you about recent life events and look for small “club- shaped” bulbs on the fallen hair’s roots. The bulbs mean the hair has gone through a complete cycle of growth, suggesting that the cycle may have sped up due to stress.

What you can do: In some cases, such as pregnancy or major surgery, you may have to bide your time until the hair loss slows. If medication is the culprit, talk to your doctor about lowering your dosage or switching drugs. If it’s stress-related, do your best to reduce anxiety.

Hereditary Hair Loss

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She Was Losing Fistfuls Of Hair What Was Causing It

Sudden hair loss may seem alarming, but it may be caused by a temporary stress and grow back.

• Read in app

A woman in my knitting group recently asked if any of us knew where she could buy a gray wig. Though she seemed to have an ample head of hair, she reported that shed been losing fistfuls every time she brushed or washed it. Obviously very upset about what was happening, she said she didnt want to wait until she was bald to find a substitute for her naturally gray hair.

She also wondered why, suddenly, this was happening and how it could be stopped. The dermatologist she consulted asked some telling questions and suggested the likely cause. Three months earlier, my friend had undergone surgery for colon cancer and, as if that werent enough of a stress, she had developed a serious postoperative infection.

The delayed result, a form of diffuse hair loss called telogen effluvium, was causing her hair to fall out in frightening clumps. The good news was that absent another physical or psychological insult, within a year she most likely will have regained her normal head of hair and can donate the wig she bought to a gray-haired woman about to undergo chemotherapy.

Other possible causes of diffuse telogen hair loss include an overactive or underactive thyroid, with normal hair growth restored once the hormonal abnormality is corrected. Various chronic or inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases or chronic infections may also cause diffuse telogen hair loss.

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What Are Some Tips For Dealing With Hair Loss In Women

There are some things you can do on your own. You might check with your stylist or try some of these:

• Coloring your hair adds volume to the strands, making your hair seem fuller.
• Massaging your head, like when you are washing your hair, can stimulate blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles.
• Getting your hair cut shorter, and having layers added, can make your hair seem fuller.
• Using the right kind of shampoo can also help. Look for a shampoo that adds volume without using sulfate detergents.
• Using the right kind of product at the right time can also help. There are products that add volume that you add while your hair is still wet. However, using too much product can add weight.

If You Have Hair Loss Start Here

Treating your hair loss starts with addressing the underlying cause. So if you have signs of hair loss, see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible. They can help you pinpoint the problem and address the issue. No matter what the reason, the sooner you get treatment for hair loss, the better the result will be.

Since the hair is an extension of your body, living a healthy lifestyle can also help. Some measures you can take are:

• Eating a balanced diet

• Avoiding traumatic hair care

• Seeing your primary care provider regularly for preventative medical care

Topical solution or foam is the first-choice medication for most types of hair loss. For hereditary hair loss, your dermatologist may recommend pills like or . Other treatment options include cosmetic and surgical procedures at a dermatologists office. Some of these treatments are still experimental, but they show promise. Alternatively, many women cover thin areas with topical products, scalp tattooing, or wigs.

No matter what your age, the good news is that most causes of hair loss are treatable. Addressing the root cause early is key to stopping the process and regrowing hair.

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Signs Of Hair Loss In Women

• Overall thinning on the top of your head. Men notice bald spots more commonly, while women will see a difference in density.
• Bald patches can be seen in some cases.
• If you have gone through emotional trauma in the recent past, you may notice your hair falling in clumps in the shower or while brushing it.
• Complete hair loss can also be seen post a few medical treatments like chemotherapy.

What Can Cause Sudden Hair Loss

It is normal to experience some amount of hair loss on a daily basis. We can see our precious strands from our crowning glory come out during our morning shower, when brushing, blow drying, combing etc. Some amount of hair loss daily during these activities is normal. Normally, a person loses an average of 80 to 100 hair strands in a day. However, sudden hair loss is something else and should not be taken lightly as it can be a sign of some serious health condition. Hair loss, whether in a male or female, can be a very distressing phenomenon, as sudden hair loss can detrimentally affect anyones self-esteem.

There are multiple causes for different types of hair loss so finding out the cause of the sudden hair loss can be challenging. Majority of the hair loss seen in people is often not related to any internal or systemic disease. Thinning of hair can simply be from predetermined genetic factors and from the overall aging process of the patient. Mild thinning of hair can be seen in people in their 30s and 40s.

Some important facts about hair loss

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How Is Hair Loss In Women Treated What Medicines Or Supplements May Help

Treatment depends on the cause of your hair loss.

• In cases where the loss is due to stress or hormone changes like pregnancy, there might be no treatment needed. The hair loss will stop after a period of time.
• In cases of hair loss being due to hair styling practices, like tight braids or ponytails or certain chemicals, treatment means not doing the things that caused the damage.
• In cases due to nutritional deficiencies, you might be told to take supplements. For instance, you might be told to take a multivitamin and three to five milligrams of biotin daily.
• Minoxidil is approved for treating FPHL. The 2% or 5% solution can be purchased in stores. However, you have to follow directions exactly and use the product indefinitely. Dont use this product if youre pregnant, if you plan to get pregnant, or if youre breastfeeding.
• The HairMax Lasercomb® low light laser is approved by the US FDA to treat FPHL. Another FDA-approved laser product is the Theradome LH80 PRO® helmet and low light laser helmets and caps.

Other medications that have been studied, but not approved, for hair loss in women include:

• Spironolactone and other anti-androgens.
• Steroids.
• Other light treatments.

It is important to note that premenopausal women should not take medications for hair loss treatment without using contraception. Many drugs, including minoxidil and finasteride, are not safe for pregnant women or women who want to get pregnant.