What Causes Sudden Hair Loss?

Hair may fall out suddenly in either large clumps, small patches or uniformly all over the scalp. According to the Mayo Clinic, the medical term for the latter kind of hair loss, especially if it is due to emotional or physical stress, is acute telogen effluvium.

Emotional or physical trauma are common causes of sudden hair loss. Stress usually causes a release of many strands uniformly, rather than large clumps that create bald patches. Sudden hormone fluctuations, such as that occurring after pregnancy, can also cause sudden hair loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is often temporary and ceases once hormones are again in balance. Bad diet is another common cause. Specifically, you may be lacking iron or sufficient amounts of protein in your diet. Anorexia, whether caused by the eating disorder anorexia nervosa or due to illness or poverty, can cause sudden hair loss. This is due to lack of important vitamins and minerals and the general stress on the body. Diseases that cause sudden hair loss include thyroid diseases, celiac disease and other digestive disorders, as well as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease. In addition, birth-control pills, radiation, chemotherapy, mercury poisoning, some blood thinners and other prescription drugs can cause sudden hair loss.

To positively identify the cause of your hair loss, your doctor may send strands of your hair, root intact, to a medical lab for analysis or perform what is called a punch biopsy. This extracts follicles for analysis. Your doctor may also order blood work in order to see if you have a hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency or disease.

If hair loss is caused by telogen effluvium, there is no effective treatment; however, the hair will grow back. If poor nutrition is the culprit, you may be prescribed supplements. The autoimmune disorder alopecia areata is treated with steroids and other medications. Hair loss caused by conditions such as hyperthyroidism should improve when the condition is treated. Unless there is scarring or other damage to the hair follicles, many cases of sudden hair loss are reversible.

Even severe daily stress, not just severe trauma such as an accident or a death, can cause hair loss. Dry hair may break and fall out, making it seem like you are losing your hair. Dry, brittle hair can be caused by nutritional deficiencies but can also be caused by hair-coloring agents and damage from daily styling.