HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Severe Hair Fall

default
Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Question: Hello,

I have been dealing with more hair shedding than usual. I see from the hairs the fall our a white applicator like tip at the end. Can this possibly be the root? It appears that they are telogen hairs. Could this also indicate that are prematurely falling?

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Telogen Effluvium, Likely to improve with simple measures

Detailed Answer:
My Dear

Welcome to this site!

I have noted your description and think that your details closely match that of Telogen Effluvium.
Telogen effluvium is a condition of diffuse loss of complete hairs including their roots and shafts from all areas of the scalp.

The whitish bulb like structure that you noticed at the hair ends indeed is their hair root.
Your observation is correct that these are hairs that are falling prematurely.

In such a situation, I advise my patients to adopt measures like:

1 Be gentle to your hairs and avoid massaging, use of chemicals, and do not brush when they are wet and also to desist from hot setting when using hairdryer.

2 Biotin helps a good number of patients.

3 Plenty of vegetables and fruits as part of routine diet do help a lot

4 One should also check and correct if there is anemia or a thyroid disorder.

5 Finally, patience is a great virtue as most patients recover gradually over a period of some months.

I am sure you will gain from these steps and take care of your hairs in the best manner.

Best wishes from our team!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. VINAY KUMAR (7 hours later)
Hello,

Thank you for your response. Since they are falling at the root, will the hair grow back? I had see a dermatologist and he has done a hair pull test which came out negative. He mentioned that my ferritin was low at the time which was at 26. I have been taking iron supplements and have managed to get my ferritin up to 56. I have seen a little improvement in the shedding and see some little hair growth around the hair line. I am taking biotin 1mg per day. I was also thinking that the little white bulb my be sebum. Could this be the case as well?

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Advice for revised hair care

Detailed Answer:
My Dear XXXXXXX

Thanks for being with us.

When the hairs fall like in a case like yours, they leave behind rudimentary root which upon provision of proper conditions has the capacity to become fully functional hairs again.

It is heartening that your ferritin is progressing towards normal. It will show up in better hair growth and it might take some time which is variable.

It is again very encouraging that your hairline is improving. In fact, this is the first sign of recovery. biotin dose needs to up scaled to be of some real use.

Sebum does not get attached to the hair roots. So one should not be alarmed due to that aspect
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. VINAY KUMAR (1 hour later)
Hi Doctor,

On average how many hairs do we shed a day? In your opinion how much Biotin should I be taking? Also, does the biotin lead to oilier hair? If it was normal hair loss would I not see a white tip at the end of the hair if it has fallen at the telegenic stage? Does it take 3 months for a new hair to resurface?

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Replies to your queries

Detailed Answer:
My Dear XXXXXXX

Thanks for being with us!

On an average, a person loses 35-50 hairs in normal health but this number may be different in different age groups and other conditions

For my patients, I prefer to give 5 mg dose of Biotin.
Biotin is quite safe and will not modify the oiliness of hairs

The whitish speck seen at the root can be present in normal persons too but it is the number of hairs being lost with this feature that is of concern from treatment point of view.

The time that it takes for hairs to regrow varies due to several factors working simultaneously. However, three months is a generally accepted time period.

I am sure, with your patience, and regular treatment, you will reap good benefits.

Please do take care of the hygiene and other hair care measures like brushing regularly, avoiding use of harsh chemicals, and attention to diet and physical activity.

Best wishes from our team!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. VINAY KUMAR (12 hours later)
Thank you Dr.

I have been told from my dermatologist and reading online that we can shed up to 100 hairs daily and this is considered normal. I appear to be a high hair shedder. I am just concerned about the variations of this number. Is up to 100 normal on average daily?
doctor
Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Here is the latest information

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear XXXXXXX

Thanks for your question.
You are absolutely correct in what you have stated. It is indeed up to 100 hairs that can be shed from the scalp everyday.

I just want to share that while discussing your case I quoted the number of hairs that are usually shed in case of this commonest disorder involving Telogen phase in which the hairs show a whitish bulb like structure at the root when plucked. An authentic website WebMD has placed a range of 25 to 100 hairs being lost a day in this condition.

Secondly, the number of hairs lost a day have to be counted over a fairly large number of days and then averaged. I have had several patients who lost highly variable numbers on different days. Most of them reported much higher number of hairs being lost on the days they shampooed scalp.

In your case, the number of hairs being lost is just an indication of the severity. Your recovery will depend more upon the regularity of treatment and following of suggestions rather than any other factor.

I am very hopeful that you will show encouraging response very soon as your Ferritin is getting better and some recovery has already set in.

Best wishes from our team!

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. VINAY KUMAR

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1980

Answered : 480 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Severe Hair Fall

Brief Answer: Telogen Effluvium, Likely to improve with simple measures Detailed Answer: My Dear Welcome to this site! I have noted your description and think that your details closely match that of Telogen Effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a condition of diffuse loss of complete hairs including their roots and shafts from all areas of the scalp. The whitish bulb like structure that you noticed at the hair ends indeed is their hair root. Your observation is correct that these are hairs that are falling prematurely. In such a situation, I advise my patients to adopt measures like: 1 Be gentle to your hairs and avoid massaging, use of chemicals, and do not brush when they are wet and also to desist from hot setting when using hairdryer. 2 Biotin helps a good number of patients. 3 Plenty of vegetables and fruits as part of routine diet do help a lot 4 One should also check and correct if there is anemia or a thyroid disorder. 5 Finally, patience is a great virtue as most patients recover gradually over a period of some months. I am sure you will gain from these steps and take care of your hairs in the best manner. Best wishes from our team!