Does Diabetes Cause Hair Loss?

Does diabetes contribute to hair loss? Well, as a matter of fact, it does because of the factors listed in this article.

Growth of Follicle

A first sign of diabetes is often hair thinning or loss. A healthy individual’s hair usually grows about ½ an inch each month – at least under a normal cycle of hair growth. Of course it is typical for a number of hairs to fall out. But with diabetes, the follicles of hair are slow and spend much more time in the phase known as “resting” where they do not reproduce any hair. In other words, hair is not replaced by these follicles as quickly as it falls out.

Problems with Circulation

Diabetes causes circulation to be poor, which causes wounds to be slow to heal. Circulatory problems also affect hair growth. The circulation being slow makes the hair normal growth cycle which is 2 to 6 years in most individuals, to be much longer in diabetics so the hair thins. As well as the circulation problems there are also the imbalances of hormones, which happen when blood glucose levels in not controlled.

System Immunization

Immune system in those with diabetes is give and take because of this disease, which makes it open for infection. Diabetics have skin infections and these often occur in the area of the scalp. When a scalp is infected and does not heal correctly this will also slow down the growth of hair. It is probably for those with diabetes to also have fungal infections and disease straight in the follicles of the hair.

Nutrition

Good nutrition encourages good growth of hair. Those with diabetes are continually battling problems with nutrition. This also slows hair growth. When the blood glucose levels are managed by medication and diet, the growth of hair caused by nutrition being poor should show improvement.

State of Mental Health

Stress and depression are 2 things that individuals with diabetes are susceptible to since they face a lifelong disease and this can also add to the slow growth of hair as well as hair loss. Medications changes can also disrupt the mind and body. The mental health of a diabetic needs to be as smooth as possible to help keep the growth of hair steady.

So, in summary, yes – diabetes can cause hair loss. But keeping the disease managed and uncontrolled can keep the hair loss from being too appalling.