Hair loss

I had a hip replacement in Sept.  About the first part of Dec. I noticed some hair loss, but thought it normal.  Then all of a sudden it started to come out by the handfuls and is still doing so.  I am loosing more every day.  I wonder if there is any special vitamin that would help and when I can expect this to stop.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The causes of hair fall could be due to stress, fungal infections, alopecia aereata, hormonal imbalance(overproduction of dihydrotestosterone and thyroid hormones irregularities),malnutrition, telogen effluvium and sebum plugs on skin. Telogen effluvium is nonscarring alopecia characterized by diffuse hair shedding, often with an acute onset. There is a chronic form also which persists for a longer duration and starts with insidious onset. Chronic telogen effluvium is hair shedding lasting longer than 6 months.

I would suggest you to consult a dermatologist and get these possibilities evaluated. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.