I am 26 and going through sudden hairloss.

by Ajita Gupta
(NJ)

So I had been through some constant emotional stress in the month of May and also caused by continued by some physical stress over few weeks. I have been travelling a lot, lack of proper diet and all and suddenly beginning July I started seeing strands of hair in my shower, it started coming out in bulk of stands- whole lot of it.
I dreaded and started taking Vitamin tabs (which I thought was the reason as I was not eating properly) I corrected my diet and was hoping to see some results. It got a little better, but didn't stop.

Suddenly after 2 months when I was hoping to get better but it seems that my hair loss was getting worse and was shedding pulling out strands when I ran my fingers through my hair.

I went to see GP doc, he ran all sort of blood tests on me, everything was in range, with no anomaly, and He suggested a dermatologist and Rogaine.

I am getting married in 1 month from now and my hair is still gradually thinning day by day. I have started washing them in sink and using less conditioner, eat vitamins, iron, zinc supplements.
It had been over 3 months and I didn’t see the shedding stop. I am trying to be strong but my approaching wedding and no improvement in my hair conditions is kind of devastating.

Should I see Dermatologist? Would it improve?
My hair loss now is like 100-150 hair on the head wash day. (They tend to fall more, if I have oily scalp). I see white bulb at the end of my hair follicle, have stopped blow drying and doing everything possible.

Can somebody help and let me know, what it is. I am at the meltdown. Some days its better and some day it relapses. Can oiling your hair be one reason? When I apply conditioner my hair are oily and I see more hair loss following day.

I know I wrote randomly but I am really worried and can't put my thoughts together. Please help me find out at least what is it? Is it anywhere near to normal? Is it getting better?

Yes... I am South Asian - Indian (by origin)... so when they say losing 100 strands a day is ok...Does it apply to me as well?


Editor Comments

Your situation can be a classic case of Telogen Effluvium plus additional influence such as possible drug overdose. Your blood tests are normal and the based on your overstressed event in May which might stretch over duration, you are definitely facing psychical and emotional stress related hair loss.

There are also signs of white bulbs from your hair loss. Losing hair with White bulbs mean that the hairs are still in the growing phase and you shouldn’t be losing these hairs unless you are taking some medications that can cease cell proliferation.

If you are taking any sort of medications, then you must make sure the cause of excessive hair loss has nothing to do with it. Continue with vitamin B complex supplement, iron and zinc at a recommended dosage. Don’t overdose the supplements as it will lead to further hair loss. Taking more won’t make your hair grow faster but will flood your body’s system and shock more follicles to fall off.

I don’t see there is a point using oil or conditioner as they won’t help with your hair loss. I know it’s a customs in India for applying coconut oil in your hair (ghee) but you should stop any such products for the time being. You should definitely try Rogaine and also change to a milder shampoo. It’s important your scalp is not over oily too.

You should also try to reduce stress. I know it’s hard but thinking too much over it will only make matters worse. As your condition can drag on for a few more months before it slowly recovers, there is nothing much you can do at the present moment but just control your emotional well being and stop worrying about it.

There is no definite period for this shedding so the best you can do is to take it easy for the time being. It’s a slow road to recovery but I am pretty sure your hair loss will return to normal after a while. See my Preventing Hair Loss section for more steps to reduce hair loss.