Rapid Hair Loss - During Bar Exam Prep

Hi,

I just turned 26 this July. I have never had any hair loss problems until the last 2.5 weeks(my hair has always grown annoyingly fast). I had actually just grown my hair out into a big afro in a very short time until I cut it off two days before my birthday(July 12th). Every since then my hair has not grown back in certain spots and it looks like it has thinned out significantly. You can now see little patches where hairs have not grown back in(especially at the top of my head).

During this time period I was extremely stressed. I had been studying for the bar exam for 6-8 hours a day until July 4th and ramped my studying up to 8-10 a day from July 4th onwards. I had never been so stressed in my life. I actually started getting shooting pains in my arms during two of my practice test because I was not "getting it."

Well, my question to you is do you think that this hair loss is permanent? It seems like it has happened so quick. I have compared pictures I have taken earlier this month to now and it is like night and day. Is there anything I can do?

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum! Happy Birthday!

Would you be able to post current and earlier photos of your scalp and hair on your Medhelp profile page? That will help us understand what type of hair loss this might be.

You are obviously very stressed both physically (not much physically active, possible lack of sleep and poor nutrition), mentally and emotionally. That can trigger temporary hair loss.  However, in such a case other possibilities need to be investigated like the state of thyroid, blood iron levels, etc.

Try to bring some balance back into your life. Remember to love and respect your body. You need it healthy to truly succeed in any other aspect of your life.

Wishing You Optimal Health and the JD Title,
Dr. Jasmina Jankiceivc