What Causes Thinning Hair?

Hair grows about half an inch per month, although this tends to slow a little as you get older. Each hair remains on your head for two to six years, and during most of this time is continually growing. An average person has about 100,000 hairs.

Thinning hair can be caused by drugs, including:

birth control pills

anticoagulants

diet pills

thyroid medications

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin

ibuprofen and Aleve

cholesterol-lowering drugs such as clofibrate and gemfibrozil

arthritis medications such as gold salts (auranofin), indomethacin, naproxen, sulindac, and methotrexate

beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), and timolol (Blocadren)

ulcer drugs such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famoridine (Pepcid).

And, of course, chemotherapy.

What Is Normal Thinning Hair?

Normal thinning hair (50-100 hairs a day) is gradual.

Sudden unexplained loss is not normal. Events which can trigger thinning hair include:

pregnancy

childbirth

menopause

severe emotional stress

rapid or profound weight loss

thyroid disorders

pituitary problems

malnutrition, iron deficiency

lack of protein

large doses of vitamin A

chemotherapy

radiation

general anesthesia

chronic illness

scarlet fever

syphilis

certain medications and hair abuse including bleaching, permanents, tight braids, tight pony tails, tight wigs, and tight hats.

Try to avoid having tight and high ponytails and this can really strain the roots of your hair.

What Illnesses Causes Thinning Hair?

For thinning hair caused by illness (such as fever), radiation therapy, or medication use, no treatment is necessary. The hair will usually grow back when the illness has ended or the therapy is finished.

A wig, hat, or other covering may be desired until the hair grows back. So do not worry much about hair loss at this stage of time, take good care of your health and your hair will grow back in time.