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Does Having Diabetes Cause Hair Loss


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Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people around the world. It is a condition that can cause a variety of health issues, from heart problems to kidney failure. One of the lesser-known side effects of diabetes is hair loss. 

While most people associate hair loss with genetics or ageing, having diabetes can also contribute to hair thinning and baldness. In this article, we'll explore the link between diabetes and hair loss, the potential causes, and what treatments are available for people who are dealing with this problem.

We'll also discuss how to prevent hair loss in people with diabetes. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of how diabetes affects hair health, and what you can do to help maintain a full head of hair.

What Is Diabetes-Induced Hair Loss?

Diabetes hair loss is the loss of hair from the scalp or other parts of the body due to complications resulting from diabetes. Hair loss can be a cosmetic problem for many people, especially if it’s in a visible area, like the scalp. But in cases like these, it can be linked to internal health conditions.

But diabetes hair loss can also be a sign of poor blood flow to the body, which can be a serious problem that affects your organs, nerves, and your ability to function normally. If you have diabetes and  are experiencing hair loss, you’re not alone.

About one out of three people with diabetes say that they experience hair loss or thinning of hair. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent and lessen hair loss.

What Is The Link Between Diabetes And Hair Loss?

Does diabetes cause hair loss? There is a strong link between hair loss and diabetes. High blood sugar levels in people with diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the scalp and cause hair loss.

In this case, the blood vessels that supply oxygen to hair follicles may be damaged, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrient supply. This can cause the hair follicles to shrink, and lead to hair loss.

Other links between diabetes and hair loss could be a result of the stress of living with a chronic disease or even the impact on hormones due to compromised insulin metabolism.

Potential Causes of Hair Loss in People with Diabetes

There are a number of potential causes of hair loss in people with diabetes. Let’s look at a few:  

Hormonal Imbalance: The thyroid and the adrenal glands are two important endocrine glands that secrete hormones. If one or both of these is underactive, it can lead to hormonal imbalance. This can cause hair loss in a large portion of the scalp, and it may not have any other signs or symptoms

An Unhealthy Diet:  An unhealthy diet can cause your body to experience a deficiency of vitamins and minerals that are required for hair growth. An unbalanced diet can also cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate, which can cause hair loss.

Inadequate Exercise:  When you exercise, it increases blood flow to your hair follicles, which promotes hair growth. If you don’t exercise enough, your hair follicles may not receive the required nourishment, leading to hair loss.

Genetic Factors:  Genetics can play a role in hair loss. If you have a family member who has experienced hair loss, you may be more likely to experience hair loss as well. 

Medications:  Certain medications can cause hair loss as a side effect, including certain diabetic medicines, blood pressure medications, certain antidepressants, some birth control pills, and certain antibiotics.

Insulin Resistance: This is a condition in which the body's tissues become less sensitive to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that controls blood sugar and regulates hair growth. When cells don’t respond to insulin as well, blood sugar levels can rise. High blood sugar can damage hair follicles.

Iron Deficiency: Some research suggests that iron deficiency could be the cause of hair loss in people with diabetes. One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who were iron deficient had higher rates of hair loss than those who were not. 

Vitamin Deficiency: A few studies have found that people with diabetes are more likely to have vitamin deficiency than those who don-t have the disease. Hair loss can be a sign of vitamin deficiency and should be treated promptly.

Bacterial Infection: If hair follicles are damaged, bacteria and fungi can grow in them. This can cause inflammation, irritation, and infection in the surrounding area. This can be treated with antibiotics, and it's important to prevent it from happening again.

Apart from that, not getting enough sleep, excessive stress, dehydration, etc. can lead to hair loss in diabetes patients. If you notice excessive hair loss due to any medical prescriptions, make sure to discuss this with your doctor and find alternatives if possible.

Signs Of Diabetes Hair Loss

If you’re experiencing diabetes hair loss, you may notice that your hair is thinner, more brittle, and falls out more easily than usual. You may also notice that your hair is growing rather slowly and may not be as long as you’d like or were before.

You may also notice that your hair is changing color, your hair is greying more quickly than it normally would, or that it is thinning out.

Natural Treatments For Hair Loss In People With Diabetes

While there are no natural remedies for hair loss in diabetes, consider changing your lifestyle and getting healthier as a preventive measure to help treat hair loss to some extent.  

Eat Healthy: Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help your body produce the nutrients it needs to keep your hair healthy and strong. A high-protein diet rich in iron and other nutrients has been shown to improve hair growth in some people.

Take Vitamins: Vitamin supplements can help your body produce more hair. Vitamin B, iron, zinc, and biotin are all important for healthy hair growth. 

Exercise: Regularly exercising can help your body produce more hair. When you exercise, blood flow increases to your hair follicles, which can help stimulate hair growth.  Exercise has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.

Manage Stress: Stress is associated with a wide range of health problems, including hair loss. So try to reduce your stress levels, such as through meditation, yoga, taking a walk outside, or other relaxation techniques. These have been shown to reduce stress and improve health. 

Protect Your Hair: Use hair products that are designed to protect your hair, like shampoos and conditioners that have moisturizing and repairing properties. Also, wear hats and/or sunscreen when going out to avoid UVA and UVB rays. As they can be damaging to the scalp and the strands. Don’t stop prescribed medications, but check with your doctor: Any medication prescribed for diabetes can cause hair loss as a side effect. Make sure to discuss this with your doctor and find alternative medications if necessary.

Get Enough Sleep: When you sleep, your body considers it as a sign and begins the healing process. It rejuvenates your cells, muscles, and tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to have at least 7 hours of sleep daily. Sleep deprivation has been shown to negatively impact hair growth.

Stay Hydrated: Getting enough water can help regulate blood sugar levels, which can aid in hair loss due to diabetes.

Take A Supplement:  Diets that don't meet recommended dietary standards can lead to vitamin deficiency. If you are not able to eat the right amount of nutrients and vitamins, consider speaking with your doctor and adding supplements to your routine.

How To Prevent Hair Loss In People With Diabetes

Preventing diabetes hair loss is best done by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding stress. You may also want to consider taking supplements to help support hair growth like hair vitamins, iron or zinc. 

While it’s important to prevent hair loss, it’s also important to remember that everyone’s hair grows at different rates. Some people naturally have slower hair growth, while others naturally have faster-growing hair. This can affect how quickly or slowly your hair grows.

It’s also important to remember that hair loss can be caused by other factors, such as genetics and ageing. If you’ve noticed that you’re losing more hair than usual, it may be time to see your doctor.

Takeaway

Diabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to a range of complications, including hair loss. When a person has diabetes, their body may not produce enough insulin or be able to utilize the insulin released by their bodies due to insulin resistance. 

When this happens, the hair follicles in the scalp may not produce enough hair cells, which can lead to hair loss. While not all people with diabetes experience hair loss, it is a common symptom of the condition and one that can be very distressing. 

A variety of factors, including hormones and genetics, can play a role in whether or not someone with diabetes experiences hair loss. By understanding the possible causes and effects of diabetes-related hair loss, you can take steps to minimize its impact on your life.   

You can reduce your risk of hair loss by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding stress, and taking vitamins to support hair growth.

However, if you are still worried and stressed about your hair concerns, take a hair test at Traya to help you solve your doubts. Our experts and doctors are not only backed by science but also have years and years of experience behind us. We have helped more than 2,00,000 people with their hair loss treatment journey, it is time for you to be the next!

FAQs

Q1 - Can Type 2 Diabetes Cause Hair Loss

Ans - People with type 2 diabetes can experience hair loss as a result of the disease. A study found that among people with type 2 diabetes, 46% reported some hair loss after five years of having the disease. One review found that almost 25% of people with type 2 diabetes experience hair loss. 

  • Type 2 diabetes-related hair loss is not as severe as the hair loss that people with type 1 diabetes experience.
  • There are a few treatments that have been shown to help with hair loss in people with type 2 diabetes. 
  • Just like with type 1 diabetes, it's important to remember that hair loss is just one side effect of the disease.

Q2 - Can Type 1 Diabetes Cause Hair Loss

Ans - People with type 1 diabetes can experience hair loss as a side effect of the disease. One study found that nearly 50% of people with type 1 diabetes experience hair loss after five years of living with the disease. It's unclear what causes this hair loss, but researchers suspect that it may be related to high blood sugar levels. 

There are some treatments that have been shown to help with hair loss, like taking biotin supplements and limiting your blood sugar levels. It's important to keep in mind that type 1 diabetes is lifelong, and that hair loss is just one side effect of the disease. 

Your hair loss doesn't mean the diabetes is getting worse or that you aren’t managing the condition well.

Q3 - Do Diabetes Medication Cause Hair Loss

Ans - Some diabetes medications can cause hair loss, but there are other reasons why someone might start losing hair. Certain medications, like corticosteroids and antiseizure medications, can lead to hair loss, according to the National Health Medical Research Council.

Other reasons for hair loss include stress, iron deficiency, and even genetics. 

- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause hair loss, but most people don't lose their hair when their blood sugar is low. If you take insulin but still lose hair, it could be a sign of too much insulin in your body. Make sure to talk to a doctor about the dosage of your medication. 

Note: this article is not meant to replace the advice of a doctor. It's always a good idea to speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your health regimen.

References

https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/fitness/getting-started-safely/blood-glucose-and-exercise
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/active.html
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/313.html

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Zahra Lokhandwala

Hair Coach

Zahra is the hair coach-in-chief at Traya. She works closely with the doctors to monitor all cases. She is a fitness freak and has not touched sugar in years!

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