What Causes Sudden Hair Loss?

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that is often caused by stress, which accelerates the natural rate of hair shedding.

Alopecia areata

is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Ingesting toxic substances can also lead to hair loss. Poisons such as arsenic, thallium, mercury, and lithium can all cause hair thinning.

If you consume a large amount of warfarin, which is found in rat poison, it can also lead to hair loss. Taking large doses of vitamin A or selenium can be toxic and can cause hair loss. Contrary to popular belief, hair loss does not only affect men. It is estimated that more than half of women will experience noticeable hair loss at some point in their lives.

The most common cause of baldness in women is female pattern hair loss (FPHL), which affects around one-third of susceptible women, or about 30 million women in the United States. It is important to note that premenopausal women should not take medications for the treatment of hair loss without using contraception. Before beginning any treatment for hair loss, it is important to speak with your doctor about the cause of your hair loss and potential treatment options. Alopecia areata is a condition that develops when the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles (which keep the hair in place) and causes hair loss.

Hair loss (alopecia) can affect just the scalp or the entire body, and may be temporary or permanent. You may notice increased shedding that occurs suddenly, short or broken hairs, or bald patches, depending on the cause. When a strand of hair falls out, it is replaced by a new one from the same follicle located just below the skin's surface. You may be able to prevent hair loss by following a healthy diet that provides the necessary nutrients in terms of vitamins, minerals and proteins.

Anagenic hair loss, also known as anagen effluvium, occurs when the hair remains in the growth phase (anagen). Many women first experience thinning and baldness in the upper center of their head. Whatever term you use, it means that you have inherited genes that cause the hair follicles (from which each strand grows) to shrink and eventually stop producing new hairs. While many causes of hair loss can be successfully treated, it is important to identify what is causing your particular case of hair loss before beginning any treatment.

A few months after giving birth, recovering from an illness, or undergoing surgery, you may notice more hairs on your brush or pillow than usual. If you think a medication may be causing your hair loss, ask your doctor if it could be a side effect of the drug. While some people believe that using hair dyes (which contain parabens) can lead to scalp irritation and even baldness, this is rare.