What your hair says about your health
Much like our eyes, nails, and mouth, hair can actually provide quite an insight into our general state of health and wellbeing – not so much a window into the inner workings of our body, but perhaps a curtain to peek through and get a glimpse.
We are all blessed with different hair types – some naturally thick, glossy and abundant, others less so. Some completely straight, others bouncing with curl.
Some of us will keep a full head of hair for most of our lives, others will start to lose it early on.
Much of this is genetically determined, so if you are unhappy with the hand (or hair) you have been dealt, I’d take it up with your parents, or even grandparents.
Whatever your natural hair type, it is a change in your normal that is important. So, if you read this and think your hair is thin or brittle, I’d avoid getting alarmed unless that is a new and different thing for you.
If your hair is always like that, it is almost certainly just the way you are – however, a big change can certainly indicate something else is going on, and it is worth taking note.
So if you are noticing a change in your hair, what could it mean?
A poor diet
Many nutrients including protein, iron, folate and vitamin C are important for healthy hair. If your hair condition changes or your hair starts to thin, have a look at your diet – if you have made significant changes in the past few months (such as putting yourself on an ‘‘exclusion’’ diet to treat a specific allergy or intolerance) that could well be the cause.
I am a big advocate for trying to get all the nutrients we need from fresh, whole foods rather than taking supplements in the form of pills, but if, for some reason, you can’t, you might find a multivitamin plus iron tablet for a few months will make a difference.
A problem with your thyroid
The thyroid is a soft, butterfly-shaped gland that sits on the front of our neck. It regulates lots of different bits of our metabolism, and in some people can become either over or under-active. Both of these conditions can lead to thinning of your hair. In the case of thyroid disorders, the hair loss is generalised over the whole scalp, rather than just in discrete patches. Other signs that might point to thyroid issues include weight loss or gain, tiredness or feeling over-energised, and eye problems. Thyroid problems are often insidious so gradual hair loss, if accompanied with any of the other symptoms, should always be looked into.
Fungal infections
Fungal infections of the scalp (known as tinea capitis) can lead to hair loss. Typically the hair is lost in small patches or circles on the scalp, with normal hair surrounding it. The skin in the bald bit may look a bit different, red or brownish, with perhaps some scaling. Tinea infections are easily diagnosed and can be successfully treated with topical antifungal lotions and shampoos. As with all cases of hair loss, hair regrowth can take a long time so there may remain visible balder patches for some months even after successful treatment.
Psoriasis
This skin condition causes red, scaly, itchy plaques to form on the scalp, especially around the hairline and at the back of the neck. It also affects other areas of the body, typically elbows and knees. It can be really severe and disfiguring. It can lead to greasy hair, and the scratching and stress that goes along with it often causes thinning or loss of hair in the areas affected. There are many treatments available for psoriasis so talk to your doctor or a dermatologist.
Hormonal change
Conditions that cause a change or imbalance in our sex hormones, such as menopause, pregnancy or polycystic ovarian syndrome, can affect our hair. After menopause, many women find their hair becomes sparse and thin, or dryer and more brittle. In polycystic ovarian syndrome, hair growth tends to be excessive and can occur in unwanted places, such as on the face, abdomen or breasts.
Dandruff
In the medical world, this is known as seborrheic dermatitis, and causes visible flaking on the scalp and often greasy hair. It is thought to be linked to a yeast infection, and is more common in adolescence, though can occur at any age. Treating it with an antifungal shampoo or cream is usually effective.
Alopecia areata
This autoimmune condition can occur randomly in people, but can also be linked to other autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or an underactive thyroid, so you are more at risk if these conditions run in your family. It causes patches of hair loss and can vary from affecting an area as small as a stamp, to involving the whole head, eyebrows and pubic area. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this, but in many cases the hair will grow back within a year.
Telogen effluvium
This condition occurs when large amounts of hair are shed at the same time. Rarely, this will cause complete baldness, though more commonly it will just lead to much thinner, sparser hair. It is thought that a major event of some sort (typically a huge stress such as a bereavement, serious illness, or childbirth) causes all the hairs to enter the resting or ‘‘telogen’’ phase at the same time, then these hairs all shed a few months later leading to hair loss or baldness.
Medication
Lastly, if you have noticed a significant change in your hair and none of the above seem to be the issue, consider any medication you may be taking. The most obvious drug associated with a change in our hair is chemotherapy, but actually lots of medicines have the potential to affect our hair including some used to treat high blood pressure, acne, high cholesterol, some types of antidepressants and blood thinners. It is worth checking in with your doctor as there may be something else you could take instead that would avoid this side effect.
A big change in your hair can certainly indicate something else is going on, and it is worth taking note.