hair loss

[char87]

Over the past 2 weeks I've noticed my hair has been thinning increasingly.  It's scary because it's sort of happened suddenly and I feel like everyday my hair has gotten thinner and thinner.  I am 22 and there's not really a history of hair loss in my family.  What could be happening?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Stress is an important cause of hair loss as well as exhaustion and dizziness.It seems that you are not taking a nutritious diet.Malnutrition and deficiency of important vitamins and minerals are a result of malnutrition thus leading to hair loss.Both these causes are modifiable with efforts.Take a healthy nutritious diet consisting of lots of green vegetables,dairy products and fruits and avoid taking any undue stress.Take mutivitamins and multiminerals for some days.Also get your Hb levels evaluated.If low,you can take iron supplements also.

If still the condition prevails,then other causes like alopecia aereata,hormonal imbalance(overproduction of dihydrotestosterone and thyroid hormones irregularities) and fungal infections have to be probed by a trichologist(hair specialist).

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.

[Cosmogal]

Yeah stress can be an issue, however have you ever heard of Polycystic Ovarian Disease or otherwise known as PCO or PCOS. I have this and it can cause irregular periods, acne, hair loss, facial hair or excess body hair, bloating or weight gain, insulin resistance, infertility, ovarian cysts and hormonal imbalances. I  have had this for many years and it is treatable once you are aware of it. First of all you need to be tested just to be sure. Ask your OBGYN to test you for this. You don't necessarily have to have all symptoms. I belong to soulcysters.com and its very helpful. I had a client of mine who also lost alot of hair (I am a hairstylist) and I told her about this and it turned out she was diagnosed PCO and it was in her chart but the doctor neglected to tell her! I would recommend a product called NIOXIN and its sold in beauty salons. I used it and with great results and its safe for women and gentle on the hair. Use the shampoo and condition with whatever you like. I even think my daughter has this disease. Best of luck and please let me know how you do.
Paula

[char87]

I'm not on any medications, I may have a tiny bit more acne but my skin is usually pretty clear.  My periods have been pretty irregular, but they started becoming regular again last month.  I don't think I've had any significant weight loss, although I do diet now and then - but I've been dieting on and off for a while so that hasn't changed much.  All I can think of is that it could be stress related, because sometimes my job can be pretty stressful.  But I've been stressed before and my hair has never thinned to this extent.

[Cosmogal]

Have you had any other symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, weight loss or gain, dry skin or oily hair? Have you had any change in your hairs texture? Have you done any chemical treatments on your hair? Have you been pregnant recently? Are you on any medications? Anything you can think of that you have changed would be helpful. Let me know and I may be able to give you some advice.
Paula