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What Causes Increased Hair Fall?
Question: My mother has recently moved to XXXXXXX from XXXXXXX (a town in Haryana). She has started experiencing increased hair-fall ever since she has moved to XXXXXXX She washes her hair once a week through Clinic Plus. Please advice if any measures/medications can be taken to reduce hair fall. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Either Telogen effluvium Or androgenetic alopecia; minoxidil sol'n; oral iron & biotin supplement
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have understood your concern
Sudden increase in hair shedding is likely due to 'telogen effluvium' which is usually preceded by a stressful event or inciting event.
This stressful event can predate increased shedding i.e telogen effluvium by 1-3 months e.g telogen can follow medical illnesses like jaundice, malaria, dengue etc Or after a surgery.
Significant weight loss, either due to dieting or medical illness, is also a common cause of telogen or increased hair shedding.
Telogen effluvium that follows a preceding inciting event is usually reversible within 3-6 months once the inciting event is corrected or has elapsed and with appropriate treatment.
Other important causes in females like reduced iron stores, thyroid abnomalities and 'androgenetic alopecia' can also lead to increased hair shedding in females.
I suggest a few basic blood tests e.g testing for thyroid abnomality (an important cause of hair shedding in females), serum ferritin levels and complete hemogram, vitamin D levels and Vitamin B 12 levels. Thyroid, ferritin levels or deficiencies if any should be corrected.
I suggest her to use a topical minoxidil 2% solution, 1 ml, twice daily at scalp skin. Minoxidil is a non specific hair growth promoter and cut shorts telogen effluvium. She may use it for 4-6 months for noticeable response. Minoxidil is also recommended for androgenetioc alopecia in females.
Oral Iron supplement e.g Tab Autrin, once daily on empty stomach along with Vitamin C tablet (to increase iron absorption) and also an Oral Biotin supplement e.g Tab. Revilus Or Tab. H-vit forte once daily for 4-6 months are all part of treatment in most cases of increased hair shedding.
These are prescription medications and should be taken under supervision of a doctor and after thorough history and lab tests aimed at identifying a cause for increased hair shedding.
Regards
Either Telogen effluvium Or androgenetic alopecia; minoxidil sol'n; oral iron & biotin supplement
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have understood your concern
Sudden increase in hair shedding is likely due to 'telogen effluvium' which is usually preceded by a stressful event or inciting event.
This stressful event can predate increased shedding i.e telogen effluvium by 1-3 months e.g telogen can follow medical illnesses like jaundice, malaria, dengue etc Or after a surgery.
Significant weight loss, either due to dieting or medical illness, is also a common cause of telogen or increased hair shedding.
Telogen effluvium that follows a preceding inciting event is usually reversible within 3-6 months once the inciting event is corrected or has elapsed and with appropriate treatment.
Other important causes in females like reduced iron stores, thyroid abnomalities and 'androgenetic alopecia' can also lead to increased hair shedding in females.
I suggest a few basic blood tests e.g testing for thyroid abnomality (an important cause of hair shedding in females), serum ferritin levels and complete hemogram, vitamin D levels and Vitamin B 12 levels. Thyroid, ferritin levels or deficiencies if any should be corrected.
I suggest her to use a topical minoxidil 2% solution, 1 ml, twice daily at scalp skin. Minoxidil is a non specific hair growth promoter and cut shorts telogen effluvium. She may use it for 4-6 months for noticeable response. Minoxidil is also recommended for androgenetioc alopecia in females.
Oral Iron supplement e.g Tab Autrin, once daily on empty stomach along with Vitamin C tablet (to increase iron absorption) and also an Oral Biotin supplement e.g Tab. Revilus Or Tab. H-vit forte once daily for 4-6 months are all part of treatment in most cases of increased hair shedding.
These are prescription medications and should be taken under supervision of a doctor and after thorough history and lab tests aimed at identifying a cause for increased hair shedding.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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