Hair falling out more than usual

[iwantmyownicecreamvan]

I am in my 60s. I have had some problems over the last, say 10 years or so with the hair on the crown of my head thinning - but this is different.

Previously I noticed that I could see my scalp through the hair on the top of my head, but I didn't notice hair falling out more than usual - it was just that the follicles weren't producing new hair, or that's what the doctor told me at the time.

Over the past month if I run my fingers through my hair or when I'm combing, brushing or washing it I notice a lot more hair than usual coming out - why could this be?

For background I have had a very stressful few months - both parents died of Coronavirus, then I caught it myself etc. Could this be a cause? If so, will it improve or will I be completely bald?

I'm sorry that you have gone through that.

It could well be stress related, but it wouldn't be any harm to ask your GP to run some thyroid bloods. My friend had a very under active thyroid and she lost a good few chunks of hair. All resolved when she started on medication.

In the meantime, try be as gentle as you can with your hair. Use a reinforcing shampoo such as Olaplex. It is expensive but totally worth it.
Have a look online at Olaplex number 3. That might help in the meantime
💐

As PP said thyroid function blood test and request B12/folate and ferritin to be tested too.

However it could be caused by stress after everything you’ve been through. So sorry you have lost both your parents

Thanks everyone, I was wondering whether to bother the GP or not in the current circumstances, especially for blood tests. It's not exactly lie threatening but perhaps I could phone and ask.

Life threatening - sorry!

Could be stress (telogen effluvium)

Telogen effluvium is temporary, your hair follicles aren’t permanently damaged so your hair will grow back. However as your hair had already starting thinning prior to this, your hair may never get back to the exact prior thickness unfortunately.

You can look into minoxidil scalp products, they help with hair loss/regrowth

That's what I was afraid of MNhealth.

Thanks for replying MNHealth.

Minoxidil is Regaine isn't it? I was prescribed that by the consultant I saw a few years ago but it didn't really help at the time. The thing was the hair follicles had already stopped working at that time so the hair on the top of my head did tend to look a bit thin, but the hair at the back and sides looked OK - and now I think it is that hair which is coming out, judging by the length. Will just have to hope it rights itself soon.

It's just latest in a series of shit things to happen, but not the worst.

Yes it is, how long did you use Regaine for? That can cause hair loss once you stop taking it too, annoyingly. It’s one of the best products for hair loss though.

It's just latest in a series of shit things to happen, but not the worst.

I really do sympathise with you, I have developed stress induced hair loss since coronavirus too. It really is the last thing you need right now - I’m so sorry about your parents.

Essentially your hair is falling out as your body is in “fight or flight mode” and is focused on survival; your hair is an afterthought. Your hair cycle is disrupted and gets stuck in a resting phase before prematurely falling out. It will stop falling out once you feel less stressed, I know that’s much easier said than done though. Counselling may help as you’ve been through such a traumatic time.

For me, 3 months in and my hair has stopped rapidly falling out and I already have new growth. My scalp isn’t as visible as it was in April, so it will get better. You can try a caffeine shampoo for hair loss, it has mixed feedback but wouldn’t hurt to try.

It's worth having your ferratin/iron levels checked. My hair was coming out by the handful and it was only when I had a blood test I found my ferratin levels were extremely low. I've now been on iron tablets for 4 months, my hair isn't growing back but the loss has slowed down a lot. It is worth having a blood test as low iron has other effects on your body too.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. In case anyone is still interested (I know it's not exactly a gripping topic) I did phone my GP who said it wasn't uncommon to suffer hair loss a couple of months after having coronavirus. I am taking some hair/skin/nails vitamins and she said to continue with them and ring her again in a month. If things haven't improved then she will do blood tests.

I feel a bit better knowing that it's not just me and that there is a reason for it.