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Potential Causes or reasons for sudden hair fall

Written byDr. Kajol Gupta

Last updated on : 15 Jul, 2024

Read time : 9 min

Everyone experiences unexpected hair loss, and it’s something that happens to everyone regularly. As a natural and undesirable part of this cycle, a significant number of people lose between 50 and 100 hairs every single day and much more on the days when they wash their hair. When they do this, the probability of this happening increases. Imagine a situation in which you suddenly look at your cushions, but it appears that you’ve begun losing more than that amount.

Consulting your primary care physician or a dermatologist is the best thing you can do at this point. If a disease or condition is to blame for your hair loss, ensure you receive the appropriate therapy for it, and they will quickly determine the cause.

Potential causes of sudden hair fall

1) Androgenetic alopecia is one of the causes of sudden hair fall 

Androgenetic alopecia, pregnancy, and exhaustion of the telogen phase are all possible causes of sudden hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is a type of baldness caused by a genetic condition that may affect either men or women. Men that suffer from this condition known as male pattern baldness, may see the first signs of hair thinning in their teens or early 20s at the earliest. It is characterized by a lowering of the hairline as well as a progressive loss of hair from the scalp’s crown and frontal area.

Women who have this condition known as female pattern baldness, don’t experience a noticeable loss of hair until they are in their 40s or later in life. When women go through menopause, the hair starts to thin all over the scalp, but the top is where it suffers the greatest damage. There is a good chance that as people get older, they will have androgenetic alopecia.

It can start any time after adolescence. Many women who have androgenetic alopecia keep it after they go through menopause. It is possible to treat this condition with minoxidil, a medicine that helps hair grow.

2) Pregnancy is one of the causes of sudden hair fall

After giving birth, some women may experience rapid hair loss. This results from a decrease in estrogen levels, which has led to this effect. Some women may have hair loss and thinning as a result of stress or shock. Hormonal fluctuations may not immediately result in hair loss. Instead, it might take between two and four months to see thinning. This ailment typically lasts less than six months and does not cause permanent hair loss.

To restore hair to its natural condition, attempt the following:

  • Applying volumizing shampoo and conditioner
  • Applying products designed for thin hair
  • Avoid highly concentrated conditioners and style shampoos, because they can be too thick for fine hair.
  • To make it easier to manage hair, it is recommended to apply conditioner to the hair’s endings rather than the scalp.

3) Telogen effluvium is one of the causes of sudden hair fall

Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by temporary hair loss commonly triggered by stress or trauma. Hair can drop out in large follicles, but it may regrow after a certain period. Telogen Effluvium may affect both men and women, no matter their age. However, it is mostly in women.

Women with thick, long hair are more likely to suffer from this condition. Even women with normal hormonal activity may experience prolonged periods of telogen effluvium, which is indicated by years of extreme hair loss. A person with continuous (over 6 months) telogen effluvium hair loss may suffer from this chronic condition that might last over 6 years. Consulting a doctor is the simplest way to figure out what is happening to you.

Some potential causes include:

4) Anagen Effluvium is one of the causes of sudden hair fall

Anagen is a hair growth phase. During this phase of hair development, the cells that form the root at the base of the hair undergo rapid division, which results in the formation of new hair on the surface of the scalp.

Anagen is characterized by the rapid and continuous division of hair root cells. The new hair generated by cell replication replaces the damaged hair. In the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, most people’s hair grows 1 cm every month. However, the rate at which hair grows during this phase varies from person to person.

Reasons for anagen exhaust include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Fungal diseases
  • Autoimmune disease

It’s better to try various treatments to balance hair loss. For certain people, topical minoxidil may reduce hair loss. Topical minoxidil treatments, like Morr Solution, prevent hereditary and non-hereditary hair loss and support healthy hair growth. If a person has anagen emanation as a result of having chemotherapy, cooling the scalp while the process is going on might be helpful. After stopping chemotherapy, hair loss normally stops between three and six months later.

5) Alopecia areata is one of the causes of sudden hair fall 

Alopecia-areata-causes,-symptoms-and-treatment
Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata may affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and face, as well as other areas of the body. It may also develop slowly and return after several years. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. When the immune system complicates healthy cells with foreign molecules, autoimmunity develops. There are various alopecia areata home remedies that people may find beneficial in managing the condition.

Typically, the immune system protects the body against viruses and germs. However, in those with alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. Hairs develop from structures called hair follicles. When the follicles weaken and stop to generate hair, hair loss results. It is suggested that anybody who is suffering from these symptoms get medical treatment. A physician may recommend some medication for the hair to help it grow.

6) Drugs are one of the causes of sudden hair fall 

Some drugs can cause hair loss because they affect the natural cycle of hair development on the scalp.

Examples of such medications include the following: 

  • Blood thinners, like warfarin
  • Accutane, to treat skin breakout
  • Antidepressants, including Prozac and Zoloft
  • Beta-blockers
  • Cholesterol-bringing down drugs, like Lopid

Suppose that someone has lost a large amount of hair due to medication. They should consider visiting a physician for a consultation. The physician may be able to reduce the dosage or switch the patient to a different medication. 

7) Dietary lacks one of the causes of sudden hair fall 

When you don’t receive enough nutrients, your hair may fall out more rapidly than normal. Those people do not include sufficient quantities of protein or certain minerals like iron.  Hair follicles are composed of keratin.

So, consuming enough protein promotes hair growth. Lack of protein may cause hair loss. You may minimize protein deficiency by eating eggs, meat, poultry, nuts, seeds, and seafood. Vitamin B12 makes red blood cells, which deliver oxygen from our lungs to our body, including hair follicles. This vitamin is vital to hair development. Zinc deficiency is linked to telogen effluvium hair loss, which affects the top of the scalp. Lack of iron may also cause hair loss and delayed growth.

Because of this, one could have significant hair loss. Someone has to have a blood test done so a physician can determine whether or not they have enough amount of a healthy ingredient that could be triggering their hair to fall out. 

Read more – Best protein sources for vegans and vegetarians

8) Contraception pills

There is a possibility that women who use birth control pills may have a sudden loss of hair. Some persons may see a sudden acceleration of their hair loss symptoms after they stop taking them. People who are taking birth control pills have the option of selecting one with a low androgen level. This may help decrease the probability of suffering hair loss. The following are some examples of oral contraceptives that have a decreased androgen record:

  • Desogen
  • Ortho-Cept
  • Ortho-Cyclen

Orval and Loestrin both contain an increased amount of androgen in their molecule. Your hair may fall out more rapidly than usual if you take some birth control medications that change the hormones in your body, like injections or skin patches. People who are a higher probability of losing their hair should utilize a type of contraception that does not require the use of hormones if they are attempting to prevent getting pregnant.

9) Ringworm is one of the causes of sudden hair fall 

Ringworm is caused by a fungus. It’s not completely a worm’s issue. The name simply derives from its ring-like shape. However, if you have a scalp ringworm, you may not see the typical ring-like shapes. Tinea capitis, more commonly known as ringworm of the scalp, is more common in young children and teenagers than it is among adults and older children.

It only sometimes results in a rash that looks like a ring. Instead, you’ll notice scaly, itchy areas on your scalp that are either red, silvery grey, or yellowish in appearance. These patches may develop everywhere on your head. Tinea capitis may cause the hair shafts to become brittle and break, which can result in a single patch of hair loss or many patches.

Indications include:

  • A little number of identification increases, resulting in layered, exposed skin patches
  • Uncomplicatedly fragile and breaking hair
  • Itchy, red dermatitis in the affected areas.
  • Scalp oozing with irritants
  • Patches like rings, with a red border and a skin-tone-matching red center.

If the ringworm does not improve on its own, a physician may recommend an antifungal medication to treat the condition. Alternatively, they may prescribe a medication such as a Griseofulvin for you to consume to fight against infections. After consulting with your doctor, you may also refer to our Truemeds Physicians, which provides free online consultations. You can purchase the required medications for sudden hair fall by using our online Truemeds portal. We provide you with home medicine delivery, a discount offer, and monthly savings on your medical bill.

Our online pharmacy, Truemeds, provides the highest-quality medications at the lowest prices. We provide all varieties of medications, including branded, over-the-counter, and nutritional supplements, as well as Generic medicines online at an affordable price. We are India’s most reliable and genuine online medicines supplier. When you select an alternative or generic drug that is advised by our Truemeds expert doctors, you may be able to save additional money when you make your order for prescriptions online. Truemeds provides necessary medicines savings of up to 72% off costs with PAN India home delivery.

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Our healthcare experts have carefully reviewed and compiled the information presented here to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness. It is important to note that this information serves as a general overview of the topic and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or cure any health problem. This page does not establish a doctor-patient relationship, nor does it replace the advice or consultation of a registered medical practitioner. We recommend seeking guidance from your registered medical practitioner for any questions or concerns regarding your medical condition.

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