Almost everyone on the earth has this problem. It is actually a natural process and a loss of 15-25 strands of hair per day is normal. It occurs while taking head bath, wiping hair, combing, rubbing against a pillow or even heavy breeze. One should not be worried about this. Hair loss is considered significant only when there is a loss of 100 strands of hair per day occuring continuously over a period of time. The process of loosing hair is inevitable, occurs due to hormones and indirectly controlled genetically.
The process of loosing hair can be slowed by application of minoxidil(a drug used in hypertension, but when used topically on scalp it stops hairfall by increasing blood supply around the hair follicles/roots). But once you stop applying minodoxil the hair loss will return as usual.Other causes of hair loss are iron deficiency, malnutrition, hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism, hypopitutarism, dandruff. Dandruff can be controlled by using ketoconazole shampoo(one commerical version is Nizral shampoo)
Hair loss also occurs due to intake of certain drugs like drugs used in cancer, asprin, few antibiotics and other drugs. Counselling and reassurance is a major part in treatment of hair loss.
- Dr. Moka Satyanarayana
