Is Losing 700 Hairs a Day Normal?
The short answer is no. While shedding some hair daily is a natural part of the hair growth cycle, losing 700 hairs a day indicates a significant underlying issue.
Consult Dr. AnkitaThe Normal Hair Shedding Cycle
It is medically normal to lose between 50 to 100 hairs per day. Your hair goes through active growth (anagen), resting (catagen), and shedding (telogen) phases. At any given time, about 10% of your hair is in the resting phase, ready to fall out and make way for new growth.
However, when you find clumps of hair in your shower drain, on your pillow, or in your brush, summing up to hundreds of hairs (like 700 a day), it is scientifically classified as excessive hair shedding or hair loss.
Why Am I Losing So Much Hair?
Losing 700 hairs a day usually points to a condition called Telogen Effluvium. This occurs when a shock to the system pushes a large number of hair follicles into the resting (shedding) phase all at once. Common triggers include:
- Severe Stress: Physical or emotional trauma, such as a major surgery, illness (like Dengue or COVID-19), or profound psychological stress.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of iron, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, or severe calorie restriction.
- Hormonal Changes: Post-pregnancy shedding, thyroid imbalances, or stopping birth control pills.
- Medications: Certain blood thinners, antidepressants, or high blood pressure medications.
When to See a Professional
If you are consistently losing significantly more than 100 hairs a day for more than a few weeks, or if you notice receding hairlines or widening parts, it's time to seek medical intervention. A dermatologist can perform a trichoscopy to examine your scalp and hair follicles under magnification to determine if you are suffering from Telogen Effluvium, Androgenetic Alopecia (pattern baldness), or another condition.