Stress is a very common issue that people face in their daily lives. It has become so common that it is now considered a normal part of life. While some people can handle stress well, others find it extremely difficult. Stress can have many different effects on a person's health, one of which is hair loss.
There are many different reasons why people lose their hair. It can be due to a medical condition, such as alopecia or cancer. It might also be a side effect of certain medications. But in many cases, hair loss is simply due to stress.
Online pharmacist advice, if you're experiencing hair loss, it's essential to see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. But if your doctor says your hair loss is due to stress, there are things you can do to help. Below are a few tips on how to deal with stress-related hair loss.
Types of Stress-Related Hair Loss
Stress is not the only cause of hair loss. There are three types of hair loss caused by high stress:
Telogen Effluvium
When there is a change in the number of hair follicles producing hair, it's known as Telogen effluvium (TE). If this shift occurs while the hair is in the telogen, or resting, phase, it can cause shedding.
Thinning may not be uniform throughout the head. It's frequently found in spots, particularly towards the middle of the scalp. People with TE typically do not lose all of their scalp hair.
In more complex situations, you may see hair loss in other body areas. The brows or the genital region are examples of this.
DHT-induced or androgenic alopecia is the second most frequent hair loss seen by dermatologists. It can happen to both men and women, but it's more common in males.
TE-induced hair loss is entirely reversible. There is no long-term damage to the hair follicles. The reason for your TE will determine how long it takes your hair to recover.
For example, if the TE was caused by a sudden weight loss or the death of a loved one, it may take several months for your hair to return to its normal growth cycle.
If the TE was due to your medication, your hair might start growing back as soon as you stop taking the medication.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that leads to patchy hair loss on the scalp. It can also cause hair loss on other body parts, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard.
A stressful event may precede AA, but it's unclear if stress causes AA. Instead, it's thought that genetic and environmental factors cause AA.
AA isn't curable, but it may be treated. The goal of treatment is to promote hair growth and prevent further hair loss.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania (TTM) is an impulse control disorder that causes people to pull out their hair. It can affect any body area where hair grows, but it's most common on the scalp.
TTM is a psychological condition that's thought to be triggered by stress. As a result, it's often treated with behavioral therapy or medication.
Is stress-related hair loss permanent?
It's conceivable that your hair can regrow if you're experiencing stress-induced baldness. However, the rate at which your hair will grow back is different for everyone.
Human hair growth has four phases, which occur in a sequence.
The typical human scalp has about 100,000 hair follicles. Each of your hair follicles is in a different phase of this cycle at any one moment:
- Anagen Phase: This is considered the active growth phase for your hair. It can last from two to eight years.
- Catagen Phase: This transitional phase lasts for about two weeks. Your hair follicle shrinks, and your hair starts to detach from the blood supply.
- Telogen Phase: This is the resting phase of your hair. It lasts for about three months.
- Exogen Phase: This is when your hair sheds. It lasts for two to four weeks.
Your hair follicles go through these phases in a cycle. The length of each phase differs from person to person.
The anagen phase is the most extended phase of your hair growth cycle. Your genes determine the length of this phase.
You may have a shorter anagen phase if you have a family history of hair loss and scalp problems. This means that your hair follicles won't grow back as quickly if damaged.
If you're experiencing stress-related hair loss, your hair follicles are likely in the telogen phase. During this phase, your hair follicles are resting.
Once the telogen phase is over, your hair follicles will enter the anagen phase and grow new hairs.
How long it takes for your hair to enter the anagen phase and start growing new hairs depends on several factors, including your age, health, and stress levels.
Your hair will likely start growing back within a few months if you're young and healthy. However, it might take longer for your hair to regrow if you're older.
If you're experiencing chronic or severe stress, it may take longer for your hair to enter the anagen phase and start growing new hairs.
What Can You Do?
Diet and Nutrition
Your body's health, particularly your hair, is dependent on eating a healthy, balanced diet that consists of whole meals.
While it's critical to include all of the required vitamins in a balanced diet, certain nutrients may be essential for hair development:
- Vitamin C: This vitamin is vital for collagen production, which is essential for hair growth. Food containing vitamin C includes oranges, bell peppers, kale, and Brussels sprouts.
- Vitamin B: This vitamin is essential for the health of your hair. B vitamins can be found in whole grains, eggs, and chicken.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin is important for developing new blood vessels, which are necessary for hair growth. Foods that contain vitamin E include nuts and seeds.
If you're not getting enough of these elements in your diet, speak to an expert with the UK online pharmacy about supplements. They can advise you on your choices and counsel you on the best dosage for your needs. Never take nutritional supplements on your own without consulting your doctor.
Keeping hydrated is also critical for overall health. This is due to every cell in your body depending on water for proper function.
Men should drink 15 1/2 cups of water per day, and women should consume 11 1/2 cups. This number can be derived from food, water, and other beverages. A simple way to make sure you're getting enough water is to drink eight glasses per day.
If you find it hard to drink that much water, try adding fruits and vegetables to your diet with high water content. Watermelon, for example, is 92% water.
Stress Management
If you're not sure how to handle stress, it's time to learn. Stress management might help you avoid hair loss in the future.
There are several stress-reduction techniques to choose from. The following are some of the most popular stress-reducing methods.
- Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Take a walk outside every day, join a dance class, or do some yard work if you want to be more active.
- Hobbies: Doing something you enjoy can help you relax and take your mind off your stressors. Consider participating in a new activity, such as knitting, painting, or gardening.
- Deep breathing: This simple relaxation technique can help you calm down when you feel stressed. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and take slow, deep breaths.
- Writing: Sometimes, all you need to do to reduce stress is get your thoughts out of your head. Writing can help you process your emotions and may even lead to solutions for your stressors.
Topical Treatments
There are a variety of topical medicines, oils, and other goods that can assist with hair loss.
- Topical Minoxidil (Rogaine): This medicine is available over the counter and can be applied to the scalp. It's thought to help with hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. It's available in a cream, spray, or foam form. You can use it twice daily on your scalp, brows, or beard. It's not suited for other regions of the body. There are separate versions for males and females. Although the mechanism by which minoxidil works isn't known, it is believed to extend the growth phase. It's possible that this technique won't work for everyone, and effects might take up to four months to appear.
- Topical Corticosteroids: Topical OTC and prescription corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are sometimes used to treat alopecia areata. They're frequently combined with different therapy choices.
- Castor Oil: This oil is made from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. It's frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine as a hair loss treatment. You can apply it to your scalp and massage it. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off with shampoo.
What If You Don't See Results?
It's conceivable that your hair loss isn't caused by stress. However, various reasons and circumstances can cause you to lose your hair.
The most common reasons for hair loss include:
- Hormonal Changes: These can be brought on by menopause, pregnancy, or thyroid problems.
- Medical Conditions: Autoimmune diseases, scalp infections, and skin disorders can lead to hair loss.
- Medications: Some drugs, such as those used to treat cancer, can cause hair loss.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Hair loss can be affected by a lack of certain nutrients, such as iron.
If you're concerned about your hair loss, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help you determine the cause and recommend treatment options.
Conclusion:
Stress can cause hair loss, but it's often temporary. Online pharmacist advice that you can use a variety of methods to manage stress, such as exercise, deep breathing, and writing. You can also try topical treatments, such as minoxidil or caster oil. If you don't see results, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help you determine the cause of your hair loss and recommend treatment options.
