Causes and treatments for hair loss (Alopecia)


    Hair fall occurs naturally and it is normal to shed a certain amount of hair every day. And with around 100,000 hairs on your head, that small loss of hair will not be noticeable. Also new hair normally replaces the lost hair. If hair falls out in more significant amounts than usual, it can cause distress and worry. In some cases, Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn't replace the hair that has fallen out.

By Welshsk - Own work, CC BY 3.0,
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   In this article we will discuss about 10 things You Most Likely Didn't Know that causes Hair Loss or Alopecia and also about some home care tips for preventing further loss.

Symptoms of Alopecia 

   Hair loss usually appears in many different ways and depending on whats causing it, hair fall can occur suddenly or gradually and effect your scalp or your whole body. Some of the signs that may give you a clue may be 
  • Gradual thinning of top head 
  • Sudden loosening of hair
  • Patchy bald spots

Causes of Hair loss

Androgenic Alopecia
   This is the most common cause of hair loss. Androgenic Alopecia is a hereditary condition that occurs with aging. It is a gradual process and it has predictable patterns. A receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women is usually observed in this hereditary condition.

Stress
   Stress is also a common cause of hair fall. Stress can push hair follicles into a idle phase so that they don't produce new hair strands. Over time, the hair can fall more easily, even if you're just washing, combing, or touching it.
     Sometimes a thinning of hair might be observed after a person has experienced a physical or emotional shock. Most of the time, these type of hair loss is temporary

Hormonal changes
    One of the first signs of a hormonal imbalance may be thinning hair, It can be due to menopause or even under active thyroid. During or after menopause,  the relative effect of testosterone increases. testosterone is converted into a stronger hormone called dihydro-testosterone (DHT) which can cause inactivity in hair follicles and lead to hair thinning and hair loss.
      When you produce too few thyroid hormones, the imbalance between your metabolic rate and the speed at which cells work (including hair follicles)  and result in dry, brittle and thinner hair.

Pregnancy
    Pregnancy related hair loss is usually observed after the baby has been delivered rather than actually during pregnancy. After giving birth, it's normal to observe a significant amount of hair loss as levels of growth factors, hormones and blood circulation (which increases during pregnancy) plummets. Lots of hair may fall at the same time which will lead to noticeable hair loss.


Hairstyles and treatments
   

    Excessive hair-styling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails  can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia: a form of hair loss in which mechanical damage to the hair follicle is caused by repeated tension or pulling. Hot-oil hair treatments and permanents also can cause hair to fall out. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent.
 
Ringworm
   Ringworm is a kind of fungal infection which may cause hair loss. This condition of hair loss can be observed through different symptoms:  a small spot that gets bigger, causing bald patches of skin, Brittle hair that breaks easily,

Medications
       Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure. 
    Hair loss is also observed in people taking antidepressants.

Vitamin A toxicity
   Vitamin A toxicity occurs when you have too much vitamin A in your body. High levels of vitamin A in our body can lead to nausea, headaches and even Hair loss.
  The Daily Recommended Value for vitamin A is 5,000 IU (International Units) per day for adults and for children over age 4: 2,500 to 10,000 IU. So if you are having Vitamin A more than the DV,  you could start experiencing hair loss.

Protein Deficiency
   The main structural component of hair is protein and hair loss may also be a result of lack of protein in the diet. Whenever your body experiences protein malnutrition, the body starts saving protein that is left in the body by shifting growing hairs into a state called resting phase.  
    if you don’t have enough protein in your diet, a large number of strands will enter the resting phase simultaneously, causing hair loss to become evident.
  
Iron deficiency
   Iron is known for the production of hemoglobin in the body. Hemoglobin delivers nutrients and oxygen to the cells of your hair, which is vital for the growth of the hair. If a person has iron deficiency, the production of hemoglobin will reduce hereby resulting in  loss of hair 

Vitamin B deficiency.
    Vitamin B-12 Along with iron is essential in making red blood cells. These red blood cells carry oxygen to the hair follicles. When vitamin B-12 levels are low, the hair follicles may not be able to grow new hair as efficiently, resulting in hair loss. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can also cause symptoms of anemia, which is associated with low iron levels, hair thinning, and hair loss.

Steps Control Hair-fall



Taking supplements
   
Vitamin D: Some research suggests that symptoms of alopecia areata may be more severe in people with low levels of vitamin D.Taking Vitamin D may not have direct impact on your hair loss but deficiency of vitamin D is found to be linked with Alopecia. ( The RDV of Vitamin D is 15 mcg (600 IU))

Vitamin C: Vitamin C deficiency can also lead to some hair complication such as Corkscrew hairs. Vitamin C shows anti-inflammatory properties and exfoliating properties which may be helpful in maintaining hair health. ( The RDV of Vitamin C is 75-90 mg)

Vitamin B: Low levels of Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin B-7 (Biotin) Can lead to hair loss. Biotin is also used in hair treatments. and sufficient vitamin B-12 in diet can result in efficient growth of hair follicles.( The RDV of Vitamin B-12 is 1-25 mcg and B-7 is around 30 mcg)

Iron: Iron is known to deliver nutrients and oxygen to your cells including hair cells. If a person has iron deficiency, the production of hemoglobin will reduce hereby resulting in  loss of hair. ( The RDV of Iron is around 8-14 mg )

Protein: Our hair is made almost entirely of protein. Consuming enough protein is important for hair growth. If you don’t have enough protein in your diet, a large number of hair strands will enter the resting phase simultaneously, causing hair loss to become evident. ( daily need: 56 grams per day for the average sedentary man. 46 grams per day for the average sedentary woman)

Please consult your doctor or a nutritionist before taking any food supplements or multivitamins

Natural Remedies

Indian Gooseberry
   Indian gooseberry, also known as amla is one of the effective home remedies to control hair-fall. Consuming gooseberry strengthens the hair follicles and help you to control hair fall. Goose berry can help promote faster growth of hair due to its exfoliating properties.It can also help maintain a healthy scalp and prevent premature graying thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
   Gooseberry can also be made into a paste and applied to hair before washing your head. this can also control your hair fall to some extend.

Aloe Vera
   Aloe Vera is known to restore the pH level of the scalp because of its slightly alkaline nature. It is considered to be an effective remedy for hair loss and to boost hair growth. Aloe Vera can be used by applying the pulp to the scalp and washing it after about half an hour.

Onion
    Onion is known to improve blood circulation in hair follicles. It can also prevent scalp infection due to its antibacterial properties. It can be used by extracting the onion juice and applying on the scalp and washing it out with normal water and mild shampoo after leaving it for 10-20 minutes.

Coconut milk
Coconut is rich in protein, and potassium and other minerals. Potassium is known to boost the hair growth and it can moisturize and strengthen your hair. Also the antibacterial properties of Coconut milk can protect your hair against damages.
  Massage the coconut milk into your scalp and hair. Wrap a towel around your head for 10-20 minutes. wash it with cold water and mild shampoo.






References
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-vitamins-hair-growth
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318403
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/regrow-hair-naturally
https://www.femina.in/wellness/home-remedies/how-to-stop-hair-fall-and-tips-to-control-with-natural-home-remedies-60280.html
https://www.india.com/lifestyle/home-remedies-for-hair-loss-6-effective-tips-to-stop-hair-fall-and-boost-hair-growth-1713049/