The health of your hair is closely intertwined with your overall health and can serve as a visible indicator of what’s going on in your body. While periods of flakiness, thinning, and shedding are normal, prolonged and persistent hair health concerns could be a sign of a deeper issue. You’ve tried every product on the market, and you’ve even tried our DIY Hair Masks to no avail. What comes next? Here are 5 common hair health concerns and health problems that are commonly associated with them.
1. Excessive, Prolonged Shedding
You may notice excessive hair loss while washing your hair, tying it up, or by simply brushing it. While hair shedding is normal in these situations, your hairbrush or shower wall shouldn’t look like a new species.
One common cause of sudden, prolonged periods of excessive hair loss could be telogen effluvium, which is a condition that prematurely causes the hair to enter the shedding phase of its natural growth cycle. Telogen effluvium can be triggered by many factors, such as high and prolonged stress levels, illness, or medication, especially medication affecting your hormones. Talk with a doctor about ways to manage stress or plans to change up your medications.
Another common cause of excessive shedding is anemia, particularly if it is caused by an iron-deficiency. When the body lacks sufficient iron, the production of hemoglobin is affected. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to cells all over the body, including hair follicles. Without getting these essential proteins to the hair follicles, it won’t have the strength to withstand a simple hair wash or combing. This is commonly associated in women with PCOS, as excessive blood loss can lead to deficiencies. If your hair loss is accompanied by dizziness, pale skin, and fatigue, it’s worth getting your levels checked out by a medical professional.
2. Thinning Hair
Thinning hair is an extremely common hair health concern, especially as people age. It can happen to anyone, but is most commonly associated with hormonal changes, such as women going through menopause or those who suffer from PCOS. Significant hormonal shifts can cause the follicles to shrink, giving it the appearance of thinning.
If you aren’t suffering from PCOS or experiencing menopause, you may feel at a loss of what’s going on in your body. Another possible condition that can cause hair thinning is a thyroid issue called hypothyroidism, classified by an underactive thyroid. The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating many of the bodies’ functions, including hair growth. When its function is not efficient, it can lead to hair loss and thinning. If your thinning hair is accompanied by weight gain, uncharacteristic mood changes, and feeling tired, check in with a doctor to discuss thyroid problems.
3. Dry and Brittle Hair
Hair with severe breakage that appears dry and brittle is usually a cosmetic issue, but if you’ve changed up your routine to no avail, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. One problem with an easy fix could be dehydration. The lack of moisture in your body can cause the hair to become dry and prone to breakage. Increasing water intake could be a quick fix to this problem.
However, brittle hair accompanied by weight gain, uncharacteristic mood changes, and feeling tired can be a symptom of a problem like hypothyroidism, similar to problems associated with thinning hair. When proteins can’t reach the hair follicles, it won’t have the strength that healthy hair should have.
4. Flaky, Itchy Scalp
Flaky dandruff is a pesky, but common and normal scalp condition that most will experience at some point in their life. Dandruff is usually associated with a fungal overgrowth that leads to irritation and flaking. It is usually onset by cosmetic products, but it is sometimes an indicator of an imbalance of oils on the scalp. These can be fixed by researching the products you use and only using products that your scalp finds agreeable.
If you’ve tried every product on the shelf with no change, you could be suffering from eczema or psoriasis. Both of these conditions can lead to both irritation and inflammation on the scalp. If you’re experiencing isolated patches of skin with flakiness, especially if thick, itchy, flaky patches aren’t only necessarily on the scalp, it can be worth looking into with your doctor.
Stress can exacerbate dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis, so finding ways to manage it could be a path to find some relief. For results, stress management along with treatment should improve the condition of your scalp.
5. Excess Hair Growth in Women
Excessive hair growth in women can feel extremely disheartening and can be a cause for concern. Most commonly, this problem is the result of PCOS. Women with PCOS have an overproduction of androgens from the ovaries. Every woman produces these androgens, but a surplus can lead to unpleasant effects. Some of these include hair growth on the face, chest, back, and stomach. It can also cause you to develop male-patterned hair loss on the scalp.
Hair growth can have a variety of different causes, so it’s important to get support from your doctor before trying any treatments. PCOS is often accompanied by many other symptoms, like irregular menstruation, acne, weight gain, fatigue and more. It’s worth getting checked out if you’re experiencing multiple of these symptoms.
Problems with your hair can be more than just a cosmetic concern. Your hair’s appearance can be a direct reflection of your overall health and indicate changes you need to make in your lifestyle. If issues such as thinning, flakiness, or hair loss plague you, it could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance, nutrient deficiency, or a chronic condition such as PCOS. All of these concerns need to be discussed with a doctor for diagnosis and a treatment plan. If you suspect you suffer from something serious, consult with your physician.
