Brief Answer:
"Telogen effluvium" and male pattern baldness:Few changes in routine & diet

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for hair loss.

To tell you regarding hair fall: All of us males have a tendency of hair fall which is known as male pattern baldness or medically known as "Androgenic Alopecia". It is quite common to find hair fall in men which is known as "male pattern baldness" is most common cause of hair fall in young men like you.

Other than male pattern baldness there can be falling of hair all over the scalp can occur after simple problem of "Telogen effluvium".

To tell you simply let me explain you some medical facts regarding this type of hair fall.

We have a hair cycle divided into three parts:

1. Growing phase (Anagen): more than 85 -90 % of hair are in this phase

2. Senescence phase(Catagen): around less than 10 % of hair are in this phase and is the phase before falling.

3. Falling phase (Telogen ): a very few percentage of hair.

We have almost 1 lac hair on our scalp and amongst them few percent of hair are in falling phase and then another 0.1% (around 50-100) of hair can fall everyday. At certain times some more of the hair may come in falling phase. These extra of the hair which comes in senescence are actually visible as falling hair.

Let me reassure you that this type of hair fall is self limiting and remains for 3-6 months of period and then self subside. So do not worry and relax first!!! You need to do certain changes in your daily schedule to get better earlier.

Now regarding the part of treatment:

There are innumerable products in the market claiming to be useful for hair growth. We dermatologists believes in application of Minoxidil lotion. It is one product which is unanimously used by all dermatologists. It is to be started with 2% lotion applied over the scalp once or twice in day.

It is to be applied when the scalp is dry. Only 1 ml is sufficient to be applied at the root of hair in frontal region. If for one month there is no burning and irritation then we increase the percentage gradually to higher side. The same we do to taper off the medicine. That means we do not stop the medicine at once and gradually taper it off to lower side and then alternate day or off and application of lotion before stopping it completely. You can take further guidance from a treating dermatologist who can analyze the physical condition and prescribe you according.

I also prefer to give a tablet containing biotin and other essential nutrients along with minoxidil.

I would like to suggest you to have a good nourishing diet along with all the medicines because that is quite very helpful in retaining the hair and maintaining it better.

Now for the part of your second query regarding diet:

For the betterment kindly follow the suggestions below:

1. Eat at least 3-4 different fruits saplings per day. Every fruit is good but you can make a combination of sour with sweet fruits such as oranges, papaya and other of seasonal fruits.

2. Pulses are good source of proteins. So everyday have a small bowel full of mixed pulses. Add green leafy vegetables additionally in the pulses which contain lot of iron and vitamins in it.

3. Sprouts are the best source of fibers, minerals especially iron, vitamins and proteins too. so add it at-least alternate day if you cannot make in every-day's part of meal.

4. Over night soaked and peeled almonds will give you good vitamin E which is good for the hair growth. 5. Milk and milk products should be included in every-day's schedule.

6.Do light exercises, work out and yoga. Your weight is higher than recommended for your height. It should be around 72 kg so reduce your weight by above proper diet plan. As you are working man so reduce your stress as all these have bit impact on skin so also on scalp skin and hair.

Hope the information will help you.

"Wish you good health"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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