Vitamin deficiencies that cause hair loss

Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS

Introduction

Genetics, hormonal changes, medical problems, drugs, and dietary deficiencies can all contribute to hair loss. A variety of vitamins and minerals are required for healthy hair, and deficits in these components can lead to hair loss. Here are several significant which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss: Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin ), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B12, Folate (Vitamin B9), Vitamin E, Iron, Zinc, Selenium.

Let’s see the frequently asked question: What is the reason for hair loss? Which vitamin deficiency is responsible for hair loss? How can we determine the source of hair loss? How do we deal with hair loss?

Table of Contents

What is the reason for hair loss?

Hair loss, commonly known as alopecia or baldness, is hair loss from one or more areas of the body. Usually, the head is implicated.The extent of hair loss might vary from a small patch to the entire body. In most cases, no inflammation or scarring is observed. Hair loss can cause psychological anguish in certain people.

Major causes of the hair loss are:

1. Genetics:

The cause of male pattern hair loss is thought to be a mix of genetics and the male hormone dihydrotestosterone.

2. Infection:

This condition usually arises from an infection. This infection is mostly caused by the bacteria E. coli. Sometimes it can also be caused by other bacteria, such as chlamydia or mycoplasma. These usually occur through sexually transmitted infections.
Other infections, such as mumps virus and tuberculosis, can also cause this conditio
This condition also arises when urine flows backward into the epididymis. For example, when you lift heavy weights, it causes pressure in the bladder, so urine may flow backward.
Epididymitis can also arise when your urethra gets blocked. The urethra is a tube that empties pee from your bladder.
It can also occur due to an enlarged prostate gland. (a walnut-sized gland that surrounds the urethra). It also nourishes the sperm.
It can arise when you use a catheter. A silicon tube is used to empty the bladder. It is inserted into your bladder to empty it.
This condition can also arise from a traumatic injury caused by repetitive activities such as sports.
It can also arise if you have a past medical history, such as having had a urinary tract infection.
Surgery on the prostate gland, bladder, or groin can also cause this condition.

3. Trauma:

People with ponytails or cornrows who yank on their hair with extreme force are more likely to develop trauma traction alopecia.
Frictional alopecia is hair loss caused by friction of the hair or follicles, most notably around the ankles of men from socks, where the hair typically does not come back even if the socks are removed.
Telogen effluvium is a hair loss disease in which a large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, causing shedding and subsequent thinning. It can be caused by childbirth, severe surgery, poisoning, or intense stress.
Chemotherapy targets dividing cancer cells; it also impairs the hair growth phase, causing over 90% of hairs to fall out shortly after chemotherapy begins.
Radiation to the scalp, such as when radiation is used to treat some tumors on the head, can induce baldness in the irradiated regions.

4. Pregnancy:

5. Vitamin deficiency that causes hair loss:

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is crucial for the health of hair follicles. A vitamin D deficit can cause hair thinning or loss.
Vitamin A: While vitamin A is necessary for good health, too much of it might cause hair loss. A lack of vitamin A also can cause hair loss and dryness.
Biotin (Vitamin B7): Biotin is frequently related to hair and nail health. A lack of biotin can cause hair loss and brittleness.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Niacin deficiency can induce pellagra, a disorder that causes hair loss, among other symptoms.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): A vitamin B5 deficit might cause hair loss, albeit this is uncommon.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): A lack of vitamin B6 may result in hair loss since it is involved in protein metabolism, which is necessary for hair development.
Vitamin B12(Cobalamin): A lack of vitamin B12 can cause hair loss as well as changes in hair color and texture.
Folate (Vitamin B9) deficiency may lead to hair loss since it is involved in DNA synthesis and repair, both of which are critical activities for hair follicles.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that improves blood circulation, which in turn improves hair follicle health. A lack of may aggravate hair loss.

6. Mineral deficiency that causes hair loss:

Iron deficiency, often known as anemia, can result in hair loss. Iron is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body and includes hair follicles.
Zinc is essential for hair development and repair. A zinc shortage can cause hair thinning and loss.
Selenium: Selenium is a vital mineral that contributes to the health of the hair and scalp. Hair loss can be aggravated by a lack of nutrients.

6. Other Causes:

Which vitamin deficiency is responsible for hair loss?

The essential vitamin and mineral deficiencies that cause hair loss are.

Does vitamin D deficiency cause hair loss:

Vitamin D, often attributed to strengthening the immune system, can also help keep the skin and bones healthy. Furthermore, it can generate new, healthy hair follicles, which are necessary for hair development. However, your vitamin D levels are crucial for another reason.
Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to keratinocytes, a kind of cell that is essential for hair development. Hair loss can occur simply due to a lack of these cells if your vitamin D levels are inadequate.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for bone health, immune system support, and cell formation and division regulation.
It is recommended that you get lots of sun and eat vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified meals to avoid vitamin D deficiency.

Does vitamin B12 deficiency cause hair loss:

A lack of vitamin B12 is commonly regarded to be one of the reasons for hair loss. After all, this micronutrient is required to synthesize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and develop red blood cells, both of which are required for the growth of new hair fibers.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is required for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and brain function. It also helps the body convert food into energy and encourages healthy hair development.

Does vitamin B12 deficiency cause hair loss:

Iron deficiency is one of the most well-known reasons for hair loss, particularly among vegetarians and women with heavy periods.
Iron is the precursor to haemoglobin, a protein that aids in the delivery of oxygen to all cells in your body, including those in your hair follicles. It also helps with energy generation and encourages healthy hair development.
Vitamin insufficiency has been linked to hair loss in studies. One typical reason is iron deficiency anemia, a disorder in which there are insufficient red blood cells to provide oxygen to the boy's tissue. This is because hair follicles require consistent oxygen and nutrients to grow and maintain healthy hair.
To prevent iron deficiency, it is advised to take iron-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, beans, and fortified cereals.

How can we determine the source of hair loss?

1). Male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss do not normally necessitate testing since they are not frequently linked with an elevated loss rate.

2). Drug usage might be the cause of hair loss in a young guy with no family history.

The pull test can be used to assess widespread scalp hair loss. Gentle traction is applied to a group of 40-60 hairs on three distinct locations of the scalp. The removed hairs are counted and inspected under a microscope. Typically, no more than three hairs per region should be pulled out with each pull. The pull test is deemed positive if more than ten hairs are collected.
The pluck test involves plucking hair "by the roots" out. The root of the plucked hair is studied under a microscope to evaluate the development phase and to detect a telogen, anagen, or systemic illness problem. Telogen hairs have small bulbs at their bases that lack sheaths. On inspection, telogen effluvium reveals an increased proportion of hairs. Sheaths are linked to the roots of anagen hairs. Anagen effluvium is characterized by a reduction in telogen-phase hairs and an increase in the number of damaged hairs.
Scalp biopsy: When the diagnosis is uncertain, a scalp biopsy is utilised to differentiate between scarring and nonscarring types. Hair samples are obtained from regions of irritation, generally along the bald patch's border.
Hair count: When the pull test is negative, a daily hair count is usually performed. It is accomplished by calculating the quantity of hair lost. Hair should be counted from the first morning combing or during washing. For 14 days, the hair is gathered in a transparent plastic bag. The strands have been recorded. Hair counts of more than 100/day are regarded abnormal, except after washing, when hair counts of up to 250 are deemed typical.
Trichoscopy is a noninvasive technique for inspecting the hair and scalp. A portable dermoscopy or a video dermoscopy can be used to do the exam. In most situations, it provides for a differential diagnosis of hair loss.

How do we deal with hair loss?

Hair loss management encompasses the prevention and treatment of alopecia, baldness, hair thinning, and hair regrowth.

Treatment:

1. Medication

Add-on: The inclusion of medications in nanoparticles or micro-needling has enhanced the topical bioavailability of synthetic medicines such as antiandrogens and phytochemicals such as quercetin
Synthesized medicine: Finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil are three drugs with evidence to support their use in male pattern hair loss. They are usually more effective in preventing subsequent hair loss than regrowing lost hair.
When hair loss is progressive or further regrowth is anticipated after 12 months, they can be administered concurrently.
Other drugs include ketoconazole, as well as spironolactone and flutamide in female androgenic alopecia.
Combination treatment: Finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole combinations are more successful than solo treatments.
Combining LLLT or microneedling with finasteride minoxidil resulted in significant increases in hair count.

2. Treatments based on technology

Low-level laser treatment: LLLT, also known as photobiomodulation, is also known as red light therapy and cold laser therapy. It is a non-invasive method of therapy. LLLT has been demonstrated to promote hair density and growth in both men and women.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma): PRP is good for alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia and can be used as an alternative to minoxidil or finasteride because it uses one's cells and tissues and has no unpleasant side effects.

3. Surgical treatment:

Hair transplantation is a surgical process that transplants hair follicles from one part of the body, known as the 'donor site,' to another part of the body, known as the recipient site,' which is bald or balding.
Grafts containing hair follicles from parts of the body that are genetically resistant to balding (such as the back of the head) are transferred to the bald scalp in this minimally invasive treatment.
Scalp reduction is a surgical technique that reduces the hairless portion of a bald man's scalp. This technique can lessen the amount of hairless scalp.

Prevention:

Scratching an irritated scalp may cause hair loss.

Body weight health Obesity prevention is beneficial. Obesity has been connected to hair loss.
A nutritious diet
1. Oral vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, and trace element iron, selenium, and zinc intake will prevent androgenic alopecia caused by malnutrition. Multivitamins are available.
2. Onion juice, rosemary oil, saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, procyanidin, garlic gel, capsaicin, caffeine, amino acids, and curcumin were used topically to help prevent hair loss.

Summary

Genetics, infections, trauma, medicine, trauma, and nutritional deficiencies are all potential causes of hair loss. To prevent hair loss and promote healthy hair development, it is critical to maintain proper amounts of these vitamins and minerals. Please visit our website and consulate for more information for excerpt advice.