Stress And Hair Loss In Women — Addressing The Psychosomatic Impact During Monsoon

(By Dr. Akshay Batra)

With the onset of early monsoon in many parts of the country, people are bracing for the many problems the season creates for individuals, one of which is the seasonal hair loss. Some studies show that people may lose up to 250 hair strands every day during monsoon, 30% more than the typical 50–100 strands.

Over 90% of people report experiencing noticeable hair fall during this time, suggesting that environmental, physical, and psychological factors come together around this time. The connection between climatic shifts, scalp health, and mental health must be considered for a thorough understanding of monsoon-related hair loss. 

Humidity And Hair Health

The high moisture content in the air affects the physical characteristics of hair. Hair shafts enlarge due to overabsorption of moisture, which compromises their strength and increases the risk of breaking. The natural pH of the scalp gets disturbed, and the layer of protective oil is washed out when the scalp is exposed to rainfall, often containing harmful environmental contaminants. This can lead to inflammation and infections.

Such conditions provide the ideal conditions for bacterial and fungal overgrowth, leading to scalp disorders such as tinea capitis, dandruff, and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Additionally, clogged follicles from a constantly wet scalp might impede healthy hair growth and cause excessive hair loss.

How Stress Impacts Hair Fall

While the external factors are easier to spot, psychological stress plays an equally impactful role in hair loss experienced during the monsoons. Stress can manifest in emotional and physical forms, and a combination leads to increased hair follicles pushing into the telogen phase (resting phase), at the same time leading to a condition known as telogen effluvium.

Chronic stress worsens scalp conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic eczema, meaning more inflammation and hair loss. Stress influences hormonal pathways, especially cortisol and other neuropeptides, which in turn affect the hair follicle’s ability to remain in the growing or anagen phase.

Early Signs To Look Out For:

Being mindful of the needs and changes that our bodies experience every day and every season can help identify the symptoms, and one can manage the condition before it progresses:

• Continuous hair fall, which is visually exceeding the normal range per day
• Visible thinning or widening of the hair
• Bald patches in the scalp or tenderness in the scalp
• Flaking, irritation, itchiness in the scalp, or any other signs of infection

These signs indicate the presence of more serious concerns like alopecia areata, hormonal imbalances, or scalp infections that require clinical evaluation.

Preventive Measures And Lifestyle Modifications

To combat the persistent issue, it is recommended to use chemical-free shampoo with a 5.5 pH level, at least twice or thrice a week. While choosing shampoo, look for the ones that contain Thuja Occidentalis, an active natural ingredient that helps to control dandruff and reduce hair fall. It is important to keep the scalp clean to protect it from fungal infections and oil buildup, wherein once you stop the use of the product, the hair fall is prone to return. 

It's better to choose sustainable, scalp-safe products over chemical-based ones with parabens, sulphates, or silicones. For instance, components such as minoxidil are scientifically approved for treating specific types of hair loss; however, they often contribute to scalp infections or variations in blood pressure. Other side effects may include scalp irritation, dryness, flaking, unwanted facial hair growth, and in rare cases, dizziness or heart palpitations, making it an unsustainable and often inappropriate long-term solution as well.

As a safer alternative, incorporating natural oils such as amla, walnut, neem, and coconut into the haircare routine promotes microcirculation, is anti-inflammatory, and a weekly pre-wash scalp massage helps in strengthening the roots of hair and helps reduce stress. 

Dietry Measures:

Alongside, dietary support is essential as hair health is closely connected to diet. Biotin is essential for hair growth and keratin production. These are found in most common Indian food items such as eggs, almonds, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sweet potato, whole wheat, oats, bananas, and legumes.

• Iron is important for the oxygenation of the hair follicles by preventing thinning, found in spinach, fenugreek leaves, chickpeas, lentils, tofu and paneer, sesame seeds, mustard greens, jaggery, raisins, and dates.
• Omega-3 nourishes the scalp and reduces inflammation and is found in walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, soybeans, tofu, and mustard oil. Non-vegetarian sources include Indian mackerel, sardines, rohu, etc.
• Zinc helps regulate the oil glands around the follicles and reduces flakiness on the scalp. It is found in bajra and jowar, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, and in dairy products like paneer and curd, and shellfish.
• Vitamin E is known to protect against oxidative stress and improve circulation to the scalp and is found in sunflower oil, mustard oil, almonds, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mangoes, and avocados.

By including these nutrient-rich foods, one can improve the resilience of their hair and the health of their scalp during the monsoon. In homeopathy, it is encouraged to make these types of dietary recommendations to complement any remedies, strengthen the body's innate capacity to heal itself, and provide a holistic form of recovery from seasonal hair problems.

Dr. Akshay Batra is Trichologist and Managing Director at Dr Batra's Healthcare

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]