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  |  Experts  |  Ask the Doctor  |  My hair keeps falling out
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My hair keeps falling out

by Dr Sarah Brewer

question
I'm 22 years-old and have no serious medical conditions except for having an iron deficiency. The problem is that my hair has been falling out for the last four years. I only have to touch it and a handful will come out into my hands. In the shower and whilst brushing, it is so bad that I worry about going bald. My hair has got quite thin. What do you think could be causing this?

answer
Hair loss can be associated with iron deficiency anaemia, a condition that tends to affect hair follicles very badly. Your hair is sensitive to a lack of vitamins, minerals or essential fatty acids because new hair cells are produced at a rate second only to the speed at which new blood cells are made in the bone marrow. This means your hair follicles require a constant supply of nutrients for optimum health.

However, unlike the marrow, hair is a non-essential structure, and your body preferentially diverts precious nutrient stores away from it in times of lack or stress. Take the following steps:

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet containing as many unrefined, organic foods as possible. Wholegrains, fruit, vegetables and seeds are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids that provide nourishment for hair roots and contribute to a healthy head of hair

  • Try not to eat erratically or skip meals (especially breakfast), or the supply of nutrients to non-essential tissues such as hair follicles will be reduced. Try to eat a healthy snack, such as fresh or dried fruit, at least every four hours

  • Hair has a high content of the tough, fibrous protein, keratin, which is made from amino acid building blocks obtained from your diet. Aim to eat a source of protein with every meal, such as poultry, fish, eggs, nuts or beans

  • Vegetarians are more prone to thinning hair as some important amino acids (lysine) and micronutrients (vitamin B12, iron) may be lacking from their diet

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