HAY FEVER might be causing your hair to fall out, docs have warned.
It’s not just itchy eyes and runny noses that a pollen allergy can trigger, but also hair loss.
Recent research shows that one in four adults in the UK suffer from hay fever and nearly half will experience common symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and a blocked nose.
A small percentage will also find their beloved tresses shedding when hay fever season kicks in around June.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen.
When we inhale pollen, our immune system overreacts by mistaking it for a harmful substance.
As a result, our body releases histamine – a signalling chemical that causes allergic and anaphylactic symptoms.
The production of histamine triggers inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses.
According to Dr Balwi, leading hair surgeon at Elithair, this inflammation can lead to hair loss.
When your immune system is impacted by hay fever, your body can respond to scalp inflammation by attacking hair follicles – which then causes hair loss.
Among the signs that hay fever is wreaking havoc on your scalp are itching or irritation, a headache, tiredness, gradual thinning of hair, sudden loss of hair or increased hair shedding.
Because hay fever cannot be cured, it can feel as though there is nothing that can help with this.
Luckily, Dr Balwi has shared his top two tips to save your scalp from hay fever related hair loss.
“Speak to a doctor about managing hay fever symptoms,” he urged.
“This may include antihistamines, nasal sprays or hay fever injections to alleviate inflammation and reduce the allergic response.”
You can also pick up Bells Hayfever and Allergy Relief 10mg Tablets for just £2.75 in Boots to help.
Hair experts at Philip Kingsley shared the four stages of the hair growtn cycle are: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen and Exogen
Anagen Phase: Also known as the ‘Growth Phase’ or ‘Active Phase’, is when the cells in the root of your hair are most rapidly dividing so more new hair is formed.
During the Anagen Phase, hair grows around half an inch a month [about six inches a year], and faster in the summer than in winter.
This phase of the hair growth cycle lasts an average of three to five years.
Catagen Phase: Following the Anagen Phase, your hair cycle enters a short transitional phase known as the Catagen Phase, which signals the end of active hair growth and cuts individual hairs off from the blood supply and from the cells that produce new hair.
Approximately three percent of all hairs are in this stage at any time and it lasts for around 10 days.
Telogen Phase: The third stage of your natural hair growth cycle is the Telogen Phase, a resting period when strands remain in their follicles but are not actively growing.
An estimate of 10-15 percent of your hairs are in the Telogen Phase at any given moment.
The Telogen Phase lasts around three months or 100 days.
Exogen Phase: The final stage of the Hair Growth Cycle, when individual hair strands are released from their follicles and fall out.
Now the whole process begins again.
These are currently just £2.20 in the pharmaceutical giant’s summer sale.
Dr Balwi also urged hay fever sufferers to avoid itching their scalp – a free habit ditch that could save your tresses.
“Avoid excessive scratching of your scalp, as this can aggravate inflammation and contribute to hair shedding,” he explained.
“Consider wearing a hat or using a barrier cream to shield the scalp from pollen exposure when outdoors.
“Practise good hair care habits, such as using gentle shampoos, and avoiding tight hairstyles or excessive heat styling.
“Stress can exacerbate hair loss, so finding healthy ways to manage stress levels – whether through exercise, relaxation techniques, or hobbies – can help mitigate its impact on hair thinning.”
