Alopecia is a clinical term that refers to loss of hair. This is quite a common thing chiefly among elders. But, people of any age can experience such loss. Your head is home to more than 100,000 hairs. As per dermatological academy of US, it is a normal thing to lose up-to 90 hairs per day. Loss of 100 hairs is not a conspicuous thing. Also, new hair grows in place of hair you lost; however, new hair may not show up always. There are many reasons behind hair loss. In this light, can dandruff cause hair loss?
One of the main signs of alopecia is the loss of more hair than what is normal. A sizable loss can be seen in many ways; for instance, you part may get larger, and your hairline may start receding. You can see your comb soon after grooming; you may find excessive amount of hair in it.
Over a period of time, bald patches may start appearing. These patches may grow in size depending on how fast is the rate of your hair loss. In a fairly advanced stage, you may sense a feeling of itchiness on the scalp area. This sensation is more where you tend to lose a substantial number of hairs.
Hair loss is caused by several risk factors. Genetic factors fare as the most common reasons for baldness – both among men and women. In clinical terms, this is called androgenic alopecia. Loss of hair occurs in a slow manner in this case. A few may lose hair once they attain puberty; in most people, pattern baldness occurs during their middle-age.
Another cause for loss of hair is alopecia areata. This is one of the autoimmune conditions which makes your own immune cells to harm your hair-follicles. This trigger patches of baldness to occur; in some rare instances, complete loss of hair has occurred owing to it.
Other than the above two (2) triggers, exposure to chemo drugs or radiotherapy may also cause loss of hair. In such cases, loss occurs at a very rapid rate. This condition is known as anagen effluvium. Some may experience an abrupt loss of scalp hair; this is due to stressful events or when you have encountered a shocking event – be it physical or an emotional shock. You may also see a rapid loss during delivery of your baby, upon attaining menopause, etc.
But can dandruff cause hair loss?
Dandruff causes your skin to go flaky – especially on scalp. Such skin may fall away; this causes white-colored flakes on shoulders and chest. In a majority of instances, dandruff does not trigger loss of hair – at least, not in a direct way.
But dandruff leads to an itchy scalp; as you scratch your head more often, it may cause hair loss. Such losses occur when you injure your follicles – by scratching repeatedly. If you are living with androgenic alopecia, onset of dandruff can hasten the process of losing scalp hair.
If you are seeing white flakes on upper part of your body, consult with a qualified skin doctor / dermatologist. The reasons behind formation of dandruff include poor hair-wash practices, skin conditions, etc. If you are unable to know what really is causing dandruff, talk to your doctor about it.
What vitamin deficiency causes hair loss Vitamin D deficiency is commonly linked to hair loss, specifically a type known as alopecia areata. Additionally, deficiencies in vitamins B7 (biotin), B12, and iron can also contribute to hair thinning and loss. Ensuring adequate intake of these nutrients may help in managing and preventing hair loss. Consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment.
Some people are hypersensitive to haircare products like hair dyes or shampoos. Dandruff is likely to show up upon using products which are allergic to you. Use of these products can cause flaky and / or red skin on your scalp.
As a remedial measure, your skin doctor may prescribe medicated haircare products like shampoos. Such medicated products may have one or more of chemicals such as salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole – an antifungal med, etc. Some of these products can also be procured via the over-the-counter route. However, it is always a safe thing to use remedial solutions based on a dermatologist’s advice.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Bachelor’s in Journalism with a minor in Nutrition from Northwestern University. Experience: 15 years as a health journalist, writing for major publications like The New York Times and TIME, with a focus on diet, exercise, and chronic disease management.
