Hair loss – Main causes and how to avoid it

Hair loss is a natural part of our body, as our hair goes through a renewal process and new strands are born every day. As a result of this, we lose 100 to 120 hairs every day, but when this number increases and we notice excessive hair loss, it may be necessary to seek out a specialist.

Itching, thinning and brittle hair, scalp flaws are some signs that there are problems with hair health. Therefore, it is important to always pay attention to these signs to be able to discover what has caused this drop. Discovering the source of the problem is very important not only to treat hair loss, but to prevent bigger health problems.

There can be many causes of hair loss, so we have separated the main factors that lead to hair loss and that can help you identify more serious problems related to this. Follow along below.

Possible causes of hair loss

Stress

Excess cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress, can cause hair loss. This occurs because cortisol increases inflammation at the root, which harms the health of the hair. Stress, generated for various reasons, causes our vital organs to consume too much of certain minerals, vitamins and amino acids. This way, hair and nails remain in the background, receiving much less nutrients.

Depression and anxiety, for example, are within this context of stress. Therefore, people with these conditions tend to experience more hair loss than normal.

Covid-19 and hair loss

We cannot talk about hair loss without taking into account the current context of Covid-19. This is because, in addition to the stress generated by the pandemic, which influences hair loss, hair loss has been recorded in patients who have recovered from the virus.

Research is still being carried out in the area to understand the relationship between Covid-19 and hair loss, but people who were infected noticed an increase in hair loss about a month after infection. Furthermore, the fever caused by the virus has been responsible for affecting the health of the hair.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Another problem that causes hair loss, and which can be caused by stress, is seborrheic dermatitis. This disease is caused by inflammation of the skin that, on the scalp, causes itching and flaking. In addition to stress, genetic factors, allergies and excess oil can trigger seborrheic dermatitis.

When the problem is caused by excess oil on the scalp, one way to prevent the development of seborrheic dermatitis is to use a specific shampoo for oily hair. In addition, there are also deep cleansing shampoos that can help, just wash your hair with warm or cold water and massage the scalp area well.

Thyroid changes

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck region and is responsible for regulating the production of hormones and metabolism in our body. When this gland is altered, several functions of our body also change. In addition to symptoms such as weight gain, decreased libido, muscle pain and excessive tiredness, hair loss can also indicate thyroid-related problems.

Therefore, if you notice any of these symptoms combined with hair loss, it is very important to see a doctor who can diagnose and treat the possible causes of this change in the thyroid gland.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that can affect several organs in our body. One of its symptoms is inflammation throughout the body, which can also affect the hair follicles. For this reason, people with lupus may experience greater hair loss.

Furthermore, some medications for treating lupus have hair loss as a side effect.

Anemia

Another condition that can lead to hair loss is anemia. This occurs because anemia occurs when there is a deficiency of red blood cells in our body, thus, there is also a decrease in iron, the mineral responsible for transporting oxygen in the body. Thus, hair becomes fragile and its growth is compromised.

Therefore, eating foods rich in iron, folic acid and vitamin 12 are very important to avoid anemia. You can find these nutrients in dark green leaves, beans, beets, some foods of animal origin and red meat.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that can affect people with a uterus. Symptoms include acne, irregular menstruation, infertility, excess hair and hair loss. In addition, polycystic ovary syndrome causes thinning hair, a condition called androgenic alopecia.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is very important to seek a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an inflammation of the scalp that causes hair loss in only some areas of the head. Thus, the hair is left with some circular bald areas. This disease is caused when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss.

If you notice that your hair loss has these characteristics, see a doctor to make a diagnosis. The disease has no cure, but it can be treated.

Traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is hair loss that occurs due to hair pulling. In other words, when the hair is tied up for a long time or when hairstyles that pull the strands a lot are done frequently, the hair follicles can rupture and, consequently, the strands fall out. Hair loss due to traction alopecia is most common in the bangs, temples, back of the neck and behind the ears. However, stress and genetic factors can also lead to this condition.

One of the ways to avoid traction alopecia is to not keep your hair tied up for so long and be careful with hairstyles that pull your hair too much. Furthermore, this condition must be treated early so that the follicles do not turn into a scar, making it impossible for hair to grow in the affected area. If alopecia is identified late, treatment with a specialist will be necessary.

Post-menopause

Senile alopecia is hair loss resulting from the end of the menstrual cycle, which is why it occurs after menopause. The hair becomes thinner and more fragile due to the decrease in enzymes characteristic of this period. Skin aging occurs and, consequently, the scalp. Thus, it reduces the nutrition and vascularization of the hair. However, there are hormonal treatments that can resolve this issue.

Protein deficiency

Diet is a very important factor in maintaining the health of your body, including your hair. Therefore, a diet low in protein can cause hair loss. Keratin, so necessary to maintain hair health, needs a certain amount of proteins to be produced and when this amount is not supplied, the strands become fragile.

People with eating disorders, for example, may notice hair loss precisely because of this, due to the lack of necessary nutrients in their diet. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the consumption of vitamin D, B12 and iron and, if necessary, invest in supplementation of these vitamins.

How to prevent hair loss

As we can see, hair loss can be caused by a variety of reasons, from diet to more serious problems that require medical monitoring and treatment. However, if your exams are up to date, your health is fine and you maintain a healthy diet, we have some tips that can help you keep your hair healthy.

Dry your hair properly

Always avoid sleeping with wet hair, as this can cause the proliferation of fungi, damaging the health of your hair. Also, don’t sleep with clips or your hair tied up, as this can break your strands, causing hair loss.

Do not wash your hair with hot water

Hot water dries out the scalp a lot, which can increase oil production and, as a result, cause dandruff and even seborrheic dermatitis. Therefore, it is recommended to wash your locks in warm or cold water.

Be careful with high temperatures

Straightening irons, curling irons and hairdryers can dry out the scalp and hair, leaving them fragile and dehydrated. For this reason, do your best to avoid frequent use of this equipment and, whenever you use it, try to apply specific cosmetics to protect your hair. Furthermore, when using the dryer, keep the steam at a greater distance from your scalp.

Adopt habits to manage stress

As we saw throughout the text, stress is one of the main factors responsible for hair loss. Therefore, look for habits that control this problem, such as sleeping regularly, exercising and eating a balanced diet.

Sources: Donna Beleza UOL Beauty on the Web

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