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How to stop hair shedding?
What does Hair Shedding means? Hair shedding is a hair condition in which a lot of strands come out when combing the hair or when hair comes out easily with just small pressure. It’s a normal thing to shed between 50 to 100 hairs daily. The medical term for this is Telogen effluvium which is common in people who have experienced; high fever, childbirth, or undergone an operation.
Causes of Hair Shedding:
Stress
Stress is one of the situations that can cause hair shedding. When there is excess stress, it makes the hormone level high. This also triggers scalp problems such as dandruff. Also, psychological or mental, or emotional stress, leads to slow growth. Chronic stress leads to chronically increased sympathetic activities. Vasoconstriction of blood vessels which is part of the sympathetic activity supplies the cells of the follicles with nutrients and reduces their activity Ir even causes them to die completely.
Hormonal change
Changes in the hormones can occur with pregnancy, childbirth, use of contraceptive pills, or menopause. When the contraceptive pills are taken in the wrong dose or abused, it causes hormonal imbalance. The hormones like estrogen present in females or women and androgen present in males or men can affect how the hair grows so, any change in it can shorten the growth of the hair which leads to shedding.
Lack of nutrition
One thing that hair needs is enough nutrition. When the hair lacks adequate nutrition it requires, it leads to shedding. A lack of fatty acids which make the hair strong can make the hair shrink. A lack of Iron will reduce the flow of blood.
Intake of certain medications
When we take certain medications like anti-depressant drugs, oral contraceptives, blood-thinning medications, calcium channel blockers, mood stabilizers, steroids, weight loss drugs, anti-clotting drugs, epilepsy drugs, high blood pressure drugs, and so on. These drugs cause hair shedding by interfering with the normal cycle of hair growth. The medications can lead to two toes of hair shedding: Anagen Effluvium and Telogen Effluvium. Anagen Effluvium is a situation in which during the initial stage(anagen) of the hair cycle, a stage when the hairs are actively growing. The drugs prevent the matrix cells which are involved in the production of new hairs from dividing normally. While telogen effluvium is a condition that causes the hair follicles to go into their resting phase and fall out early.
Hair infection
Hair infection that causes high fever or fungal skin infection or bacterial skin infection can be responsible for hair shedding. The fungus gets into the hair of the affected area, making the hair brittle which makes it break off easily leaving a bald patch of skin. The affected areas are often itchy, red, and inflamed.
How to prevent hair shedding?
Prevention of hair shedding:
Get enough sleep or rest
One way to prevent stress or emotional or mental anxiety is to have enough rest. Take a good night’s sleep every night minimum of seven to eight hours. Engage in good sleep hygiene like going to bed early, and sleeping in a cool and dark room. It helps to make the body and mind energized. Sleep helps to regulate the hormone called melatonin which helps to promote hair growth.
Take a balanced diet
Eating foods that are rich in nutrients will help a lot in preventing it. Eat foods containing vitamins and minerals. Spinach(full in iron) helps to circulate blood flow to the scalp. Oranges(contain Vitamin C), which helps in the production of collagen which keeps the hair healthy. Seeds like Chia are full of Omega-3 fatty acids hells to make the hair strong and healthy.
Also Read here How to Prevent Loss Of Hair?
Fish Oil also helps in the reduction of inflammation which gives hair follicles more room to open for rapid hair growth
Use nutrient supplements
The hair needs nutrients to make it grow. Like Aloe Vera and Lemon juice, it can be used on the hair by applying it to the scalp for ten minutes to twenty minutes and washing off. Egg white mask can be applied from the root to the tip with a brush, a shower cap can be worn and left for thirty minutes before washing off.
Get a head massage
Massage the entire head and neck with oil for some minutes. This helps to stimulate hair growth. It also helps to improve blood circulation which helps the nutrients to get to the scalp.
See a doctor
Seeking the dermatologist’s help at the early stage is of advantage. A doctor may perform several tests like a hair pull test(which involves pulling on a small section of the hair to see how many strands come away), scalp analysis(which involves the doctor checking the scalp for signs of flaking or redness), blood tests(to reveal any hormonal imbalance). These tests will help the dermatologist to discuss alternative treatment options and ensure that the person switches safely to a safe method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hair shedding the same as hair loss?
No, hair shedding is temporary while hair loss may be temporary or permanent.
For how long does it take for the hair to grow back?
It depends on how consistent the person is. It can take up to six months or more.
When does it require one to see a dermatologist?
When the shedding persists even after the treatment has taken place.
How to reduce hair shedding?
To reduce hair shedding: Take a Good Night’s Sleep, a Healthy & balanced diet, Regular oiling or head massage and nutrient supplements, etc. Read here in detail.