Does Bad Hair Mean Bad Health? Is your hair trying to tell you something about your
health? Maybe. Some conditions and medications affect your body as well as your
hair. In other cases, you may just need to take better care of your hair or
scalp. Use this guide to see what separates myth from fact when it comes to
your health and your hair.
White Flakes Pose No Health Risk:
Dandruff isn't contagious. So how do you get it?
Doctors aren't sure, but one theory is that it may be due to an overgrowth of a
fungus. Other possible risk factors include oily skin, stress, obesity, cold,
dry weather, and having eczema or psoriasis. Although it's embarrassing -- and
the itching can be bothersome -- dandruff isn't harmful.
Tips for Dandruff Treatment: To decrease the buildup of dandruff's dead skin
cells, try using an antidandruff shampoo daily. Leave shampoo on for 5
minutes, then rinse well. You may need to try several dandruff shampoos to find
one that works best for you. If one stops working, try another. If that doesn't help, call your doctor.
Yellow Dandruff? If the dandruff flakes you see are greasy and
yellow, you may have seborrheic dermatitis. It's an inflammatory skin condition
that can occur where there are lots of oil glands, like the scalp and face.
Though seborrheic dermatitis is related to hormones, fungus and even some
neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or HIV, these conditions are
all treated the same as dandruff: with antidandruff shampoos.
You May Shed More Than You Think:
It's not a perfect measure, but some experts
estimate that we may shed up to 100 or more hairs a day. That's not cause for
alarm, nor does it mean you're going bald. About 90% of your 100,000 hair
follicles are producing hair at any given time. The other 10% are in a resting
(telogen) phase, and the hair falls out after about 2 to 3 months. It's
replaced by new hair, and the growth cycle starts over again.
What Causes Telogen Effluvium? A shock to your system -- surgery, vaccinations,
giving birth, some medications, crash diets, severe stress, thyroid problems --
can push hair into its resting, or telogen, state. About two months later, you
may see hair falling out and thinning -- a condition called telogen effluvium,
sometimes described as hair "coming out in handfuls." In most cases,
new hair starts growing right away.
An Attack on Hair Follicles:
In alopecia areata, your immune system mistakenly
attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out -- often suddenly. Most people
will have one or two bald patches, which can be treated easily with injections
but in some cases all body hair falls out. Alopecia areata isn't harmful or
contagious, but it can be tough psychologically. Hair may grow back on its own,
and treatment may help it grow back more quickly. Unfortunately, some people
may experience alopecia areata repeatedly.
Genes Cause 90% of Male Hair Loss:
Though hereditary, the trait may be more influenced
by your mother's family than your father's. So, a look at your maternal
grandfather's locks may give you a better clue about the future of yours. Male
pattern baldness often starts with receding hair at the temples, then on the
crown, leaving a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides of the head.
Medications to slow hair loss include finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil
(Rogaine).
Female-Pattern Baldness:
Age-related thinning may mean hair thinning all over
the head, but pattern hair loss is usually most common on top of the head.
Unlike men, women rarely go bald, and they tend to lose hair more slowly than
men do. Contrary to popular belief, longer hair won't put a strain on the
roots, causing more to fall out. Nor will shampooing pull hair out -- it just
gets the ones that were falling out already. Minoxidil 5% applied once daily
may help hair growth and prevent thinning. Spironolactone and Flutamide (oral
medications) can also be used in women.
Avoid Sun Damage to Hair: Too much sun can turn your hair into a brittle, dry
mop that breaks and splits easily. This is especially true in those with blonde
or grey hair. And if you already have thinning hair, you risk a sunburn on
your scalp. Choosing hair care products with sunscreen provides some
protection, although it can be hard to coat your hair evenly. That's why it's a
good idea to wear a hat when you're out in the sun -- especially if your scalp is
exposed. Choose a hat made of sun-protective fabric with UPF 30 (ultraviolet
protection factor).
Luscious Locks Need Nutrients:
Could a crash diet cost you your hair? In extreme
cases, it could. Your hair needs protein and iron to stay healthy, along with
omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A, but not too much -- which can promote
hair loss. Very low-calorie diets are often lacking in sufficient nutrients and
can stunt hair growth or leave hair dull and limp. If the nutritional
deficiency is big enough -- like for someone with an eating disorder -- hair
can fall out.
A Hair- and Heart-Healthy Diet: Help keep hair shiny by eating salmon and walnuts
for omega-3 fatty acids; spinach and carrots for vitamin A; brazil nuts for
selenium; and oysters and cashews for zinc. All help maintain scalp and hair
health, as do low-fat dairy, whole grains, and vegetables. Double the results:
Foods good for your hair are also good for your heart.
Premature Gray Hair Is Genetic: Going gray isn't always related to aging. If you're
not yet 40 and see more than a few gray hairs, chances are it runs in your
family. Gray usually isn't a sign of poor health, though anemia, thyroid
issues, vitamin B12 deficiency, and vitiligo can cause premature graying. You
can highlight or color hair to cover the gray, but beware: Some people are
sensitive to the chemicals in dyes. The result could be an itchy, burning
scalp.
Traction Alopecia Damages Follicles: Pulling hair too tight -- as can happen with
ponytails, braids, and cornrows -- can damage hair follicles and cause hair to
break or fall out. Hair extensions and hairpieces can sometimes cause traction
alopecia, too, because their extra weight pulls on existing hair. Changing your
hairstyle usually lets hair grow back. Pulling hair back tightly for a long
time, though, can lead to permanent hair loss.
Over-Styling Weakens Your Hair: Blow drying, using a flat iron, coloring, bleaching,
even over-brushing -- all can damage the outer layer (cuticle) of your hair.
When the inner core of hair is exposed, your locks become dry and dull.
Although it doesn't cause any permanent health damage, you can over-style to
the point that your only option for healthy hair is to cut it off and start
over. When it comes to your hair, doing less leads to healthier tresses.
A Surprising Side Effect: Among the medications that list hair loss as a side effect are anticlotting drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs, antidepressants,
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and drugs for menopause, birth
control, and antibiotics. Usually, hair grows back when the medication is
stopped, but may not in some cases.
Scalp Massage Feels So Good: There's no evidence that massaging your scalp will
slow hair loss or improve any scalp conditions -- but it can do wonders to
relieve stress. Your scalp is covered with nerve endings that make it
super-sensitive to touch. Rubbing your scalp may help release tension. Massage
may also trigger the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin.
Hair Analysis Not Reliable: Some companies claim they can analyze hair clippings
to see if you are deficient in vitamins or have health problems. Although hair
analysis can detect some poisons like lead or arsenic, findings can be
inconsistent and varied. Everything from air pollution to shampoo may affect
test results. The
American Medical Association is against hair analysis to determine treatment.
Reviewed by: Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on November 17, 2018
Sources:
Agency for Toxic
Substances & Disease Registry: "Hair Analysis Panel Discussion:
Executive Summary."
American Academy of Dermatology: "Alopecia
Areata," "Hair loss: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome."
American Hair Loss Association:
"Diagnosis," "Drug Induced Hair Loss,"
"Effluviums," "Hair Shaft Defects."
American Medical Association, "Archives of
Dermatology."
American Family Physician, "Treatment of
Seborrheic Dermatitis."
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology,
"Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss."
EczemaNet, American Academy of Dermatology:
"Seborrheic Dermatitis."
Harrison, S. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine,
2009.
International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery:
"Other Hair Loss Causes."
KidsHealth: "Dandruff (Seborrheic
Dermatitis)," "Why Does Hair Turn Gray?"
Medscape Reference: "Telogen Effluvium."
The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body,
Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With
Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is
Sick.
"It's Not Selfish
to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority.
It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)
"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel."
(Eleanor Brown)
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