Does Stress Make Your Hair Fall Out?

Hair loss is a common condition that affects millions of people across the globe. We all shed hair and losing 50-100 strands a day is considered normal. However, when you’re under physical or emotional stress the normal shedding of 100 or so can speed up to the point where half to three-quarters of your hair can fall out. Many people ask does stressmake your hair fall out? Well, the answer is yes, stress and hair loss can be related. This condition is known as telogen effluvium. It may take weeks or months after the stressful event for the hair to actually shed. Fortunately, after six to eight months this type of hair loss often improves.

Three types of hair loss that can be associated with high stress levels include:

• Alopecia areata – A variety of factors are thought to cause alopecia areata including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles — causing hair loss. Any stressful event including death of a closed one, accident and long term illness can cause you to lose hair.

• Telogen effluvium – In telogen effluvium, significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair.
  
• Trichotillomania and Hair Loss – Trichotillomania is a mental condition in which there is an irresistible urge to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body. Hair pulling can be a way of dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings, such as tension, loneliness, stress, boredom or frustration.

Stress and hair loss don't have to be permanent. When you get the stress under control, your hair might grow back. The best thing you can do is opt for meditation, yoga, hit the gym regularly, opt for swimming and indulge yourself in any fun activities.