What causes severe hair loss in women?
Sep 06, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, severe hair loss in women is associated with stress, malnutrition, folliculitis, hyperthyroidism, alopecia areata, and other factors. Psychological stress can affect the body's endocrine balance, especially by increasing cortisol levels, which interferes with the normal hair growth cycle and causes hairs in the resting phase to shed prematurely. Reducing psychological stress through counseling, yoga, or meditation may help.
Generally, severe hair loss in women may be related to factors such as high stress, malnutrition, folliculitis, hyperthyroidism, and alopecia areata. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. High Stress
Mental stress can affect the body's endocrine balance, increase cortisol levels, disrupt the normal hair growth cycle of hair follicles, and lead to hair loss. Stress can be reduced through psychological counseling, relaxation exercises, yoga, or meditation.
2. Malnutrition
A lack of nutrients such as protein, iron, and zinc in the diet can make hair brittle and prone to breakage, accelerating hair shedding. It is recommended to adjust the diet by increasing intake of foods rich in protein, iron, and zinc, such as lean meat, legumes, nuts, and leafy green vegetables.
3. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is caused by bacterial infection; inflammation may damage hair follicles, thereby affecting hair growth and causing hair loss. It is often accompanied by symptoms such as scalp itching, redness, and swelling. Treatment should be conducted under a doctor’s guidance using medications such as erythromycin ointment, mupirocin ointment, or fusidic acid sodium ointment.
4. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is caused by factors including bacterial infection, excessive sex hormones, stress, or Graves' disease. Excess thyroid hormone accelerates the body's metabolism, including the hair follicle growth cycle, causing large amounts of hair to enter the resting phase and fall out. Symptoms commonly include palpitations, excessive sweating, and weight loss. Treatment should follow medical advice and may include medications such as methimazole tablets, carbimazole tablets, or propylthiouracil tablets.
5. Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder triggered by abnormal immune function and mental stress, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles as foreign substances, leading to follicular inflammation and damage, and resulting in hair loss. Common accompanying symptoms include scalp itching and tightness. Under a doctor’s recommendation, treatments may include cyclosporine capsules, minoxidil spray, or diazepam tablets.
In daily life, it is important to develop regular habits, avoid prolonged mental tension and overexertion, maintain a balance between work and rest, and keep an optimistic mood.
