What causes sudden severe hair loss?

If you suddenly experience severe hair loss, you need to be alert to possible health problems. It is recommended that you consult a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause and develop countermeasures.

Hair growth is affected by many factors. Sudden hair loss may be related to genetics, hormonal changes, excessive stress, malnutrition or disease. Some people may have recently experienced physiological stress such as surgery, high fever, and postpartum, which causes the hair follicles to enter the resting phase and cause a large amount of hair loss. This condition is usually called "telogen effluvium" and it may take several months to recover.

In addition, an abnormal immune system may cause alopecia areata, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing partial or full hair loss. Thyroid dysfunction, anemia, skin infections and even some chronic diseases may also be causes. If your diet lacks key nutrients such as protein, iron and zinc, it will directly affect the health of your hair and lead to increased hair loss. Long-term use of certain medications, such as anticancer drugs and antidepressants, may also cause hair loss problems.

In order to relieve symptoms or identify the cause as soon as possible, you can start from the following aspects: adjust your diet and eat more foods rich in iron, zinc, and protein, such as lean meat, beans, and nuts; pay attention to relaxation and regular work and rest to relieve mental stress; avoid excessive dyeing or perming or using irritating washing and care products. If hair loss does not improve for a long time or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as scalp inflammation and itching, please seek help from a professional doctor as soon as possible, and the doctor will develop a targeted treatment plan after evaluation.