Stress and hair loss: how are they connected?

© Welshsk Alopecia
© Welshsk
Causes of stress induced hair loss
Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. However, excessive physical or emotional stress may cause hair loss. Many people experience hair loss following a major stressful event, such as:
Divorce
Job loss
Pregnancy
Childbirth
Death in the family
Accidents
Serious health problems Types of hair loss associated with stress
There are three types of hair loss which appear associated with stress:
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease which involves a white blood cell attack on the hair follicles.

It is characterised by the rapid onset of hair loss in a sharply defined area. There is some evidence that emotional stress could trigger this condition.Telogen effluvium occurs when sudden or severe stress causes an increase in the shedding of the hair. Bald spots start to appear which can spread to the whole scalp or to the entire epidermis. Metabolic or hormonal stress may trigger the follicle hair to enter a resting phase.Trichotillomania is a rare impulse control disorder which involves strong urges to pull out one’s own hair.

It may be triggered by stress. How to manage stress hair loss?
Usually, stress induced hair loss is temporary. However, it can be prolonged if the cause of stress is not eliminated or due to the additional stress caused by hair loss.

Seek medical advice

As a first step, medical advice should be sought to determine whether a sudden hair loss is related to stress or to an underlying medical condition which requires treatment.

Deal with the causes of stress

When stress induced hair loss is confirmed, the best treatment option is to remove the cause of stress or to learn how to manage stress. The hair chains might grow back but specific treatments might also be needed.

Final word

In a nutshell, stress is closely associated with temporary hair loss. Many people undergoing high period of stress will experience hair loss as one of the symptoms of stress.