Can multivitamins and biotin supplements help reduce hair shedding?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query, and I can understand your concern.

Telogen effluvium, as you correctly mentioned, is a type of hair fall or loss caused by various factors, including stress. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic, depending on the duration of the condition. It results in the interruption of the hair cycle at a certain stage, leading to hair fall and visible scalp if left untreated. This condition can be triggered by recent episodes of fever, chickenpox, dengue, typhoid, COVID-19 infections, and other factors.

In addition to these factors, stress, irregular sleep patterns, childbirth, lactation, pregnancy, changes in location, dietary changes, as well as minor and major surgeries, may also contribute to telogen effluvium. Typically, these issues resolve as the hair cycle returns to normal, especially with scalp stimulation through medications and treatments. However, if left untreated, they may exacerbate hair loss, leading to thinning hair and increased scalp visibility. In some cases, telogen effluvium can become chronic, lasting longer than one to two years.

Treatment for telogen effluvium includes:

1. Biotin supplements may be taken daily after dinner for three months.
2. Multivitamins may be used once daily after a meal for three months.
3. Anti-hair fall serum or Minoxidil 2 to 10 % solution may be applied based on the severity of the condition.
4. Anti-hair fall shampoo may be used to reduce hair fall.
5. Nutritional health drinks may be mixed with water or milk and consumed daily for three months to stimulate hair growth.
6. At-home scalp oil massages may be done once a week. Use a combination of three parts coconut oil, two parts castor oil, and one part vitamin E capsule oil for the massage. Leave it on for one hour before washing off with shampoo.
7. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) scalp treatment may also be considered. In this procedure, the doctor takes around 10 to 12 ml of your blood in a test tube, spins it in a centrifugal machine to extract platelets (growth factors), and injects them into the scalp using an insulin syringe once a month for six months.
8. Ensure to consume more protein-rich foods such as egg whites, sprouted moong dal (lentils), soya chunks, and quinoa to promote hair growth. Almonds, chicken breasts, and nuts are also beneficial sources.

Other hair loss conditions include female pattern hair loss and alopecia areata. Female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, manifests as hair loss in a specific pattern that typically starts from the midline of the scalp and progresses to extreme hair loss and scalp visibility. This condition is attributed to genetic susceptibility, hormonal fluctuations, stress, dandruff, the use of hard water for hair washing, and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, among other factors. The severity of female pattern hair loss is graded based on the extent of hair loss:

1. Grade 1: Some or no hair loss.
2. Grade 2: Loss of hair from the middle parting to some extent.
3. Grade 3: Increased scalp visibility along the midline and separation of the hairline from there.
4. Grade 4 and 5: Extremely visible scalp with severe hair loss.

Treatment options vary depending on the grade:

1. For grades 1 and 2, medications may be sufficient.
2. For grades above 2, a combination of medications with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or hair transplant surgery may be necessary.

Alopecia areata, on the other hand, manifests as round, patchy hair loss on any hair-bearing areas such as the scalp, facial hair, or body hair. It is an autoimmune condition characterized by the body's cells mistakenly attacking its cells. Episodes of hair loss may occur intermittently throughout one's life and can be triggered by factors such as stress, fever, surgeries, changes in location, dietary changes, and more. Treatment typically involves intralesional steroid (ILS) injections administered to the scalp once a month for four months. Additionally, PRP scalp treatment can provide some benefits, and medications such as Minoxidil are often recommended. Consult a specialist doctor, talk to them, and then take the medication.

I hope your queries are resolved, and any further queries are welcome.

Thank you.