Hair falling out in clumps can be caused by several factors including medical conditions, stress, diet, hormonal changes, and medications. Common causes include:
- Telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss often triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal changes, leading to more hairs entering the shedding phase than usual.
- Male and female pattern baldness, which is genetic and hormonally influenced, causing gradual thinning or bald patches.
- Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss.
- Nutritional deficiencies, particularly low levels of iron, zinc, vitamins B12 and D, which affect hair follicle health.
- Thyroid disorders, which can disrupt normal hair growth cycles due to hormonal imbalances.
- Other causes like certain medications, chronic illnesses, or scalp infections.
If hair is falling out in clumps suddenly, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to identify the underlying reason and get appropriate treatment. Often, hair can regrow once the trigger is addressed.
