Hair Loss - From Severe Stress

Symptoms

Lots of hair is noticed in a comb or brush.
The hair falls out from all parts of the scalp.
This leads to major thinning of the hair, but no bald spots.

Cause

A severe stressful event
Reason: Hair follicles are very sensitive to physical or emotional stress.
Examples are a high fever, severe illness or surgery. Also, a psychological crisis or a crash diet can be triggers.
In pregnant teens, the stress can be childbirth.
Hair loss is not caused by shampoos.

Time Frame for Hair Loss and Return

The hair begins to fall out about 3 months (100 days) after a severe stress. (Range: 2 to 4 months).
It will keep falling out in large amounts over the next 3 or 4 months.
After hair stops shedding, the hair will slowly grow back. This can take 6 to 8 months for all the hair to grow back.
The whole cycle takes about 12 months.

Overview:

Thinning of the hair after a major stress can happen to anyone.
If your child is healthy, all the hair will return.
But there's no way to hurry the process.
Here is some care advice that should help.

Hair Care:

Treat the hair gently.
Wash the hair no more than once per day. Always use a hair conditioner.
Comb the hair rather than brushing it.
Be careful at combing out any tangled hair.
Avoid any tight hair styles such as braids or a pony tail.
Don't put tension on the hair.

Special Creams or Shampoos:

No special treatment is helpful.
The hair growth cycle needs to run its course.

What to Expect:

No more than 50% of the hair will be lost.
Once it starts to regrow, all the hair will grow back in 6 months.
The new hair will look normal.

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