A lot of factors can cause hair loss. There are people who are born with certain genes, or with defects in their thyroid and hyphophysis glands, which make them prone to hair loss and baldness. Infections from bacteria and fungi on the scalp, as well as inflammation under the skin from diseases such as syphilis and tuberculosis can also trigger hair loss. Trauma caused by heat, radiation, and chemical and mechanical, injury (rough handling like pulling the hair during brushing; prolonged exposure to high temperature during blow drying, bleaching from the chlorine in the swimming pool, dyeing and other chemical treatments) is another culprit of hair loss.
You can also lose hair because of stress and this is not limited to emotional stress. If you starve yourself, for instance, if you put yourself on a very strict diet, the lack of nourishment can cause your hair to fall off. The same happens if your diet is low in mineral zinc. Diseases like typhoid fever and malaria, which are characterized by high fever, along with liver and kidney failure, usually also result in hair loss.
With varied possible reasons behind your hair loss, treatment for hair loss may be different from one case to another. But here a few basic steps you have to take to avoid or stop hair loss as well as help your hair to grow back healthier.
- Wash your hair at least twice a week with the right kind shampoo for your type of hair (dry, oily, or normal). Don’t use too much shampoo and make sure you rinse well.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, iron and zinc
- Drink 7-8 glasses of water daily.
- Manage your psychological stress and anxiety.
- Avoid:
- Pulling your hair too hard when brushing or combing.
- Excessive blow drying.
- Bleaching and dyeing your hair
- Trying your hair tight with rubber bands or arranging your hair into tight buns or braids.
- Permanent curling or rebonding.
Remember that it takes time for your hair to grow back better and healthier, but if your hair condition doesn’t improve, consult a dermatologist. There are medications that can be prescribed for hair loss. In the meantime, take good care of your hair and don’t fret too much about the loss. Remember what a nasty thing stress can do to your fuzz!
