Can Food Allergies Cause Hair Loss

Diet plays an important role in maintaining the overall health of our body. However, there is a negative side to the food we intake as well. They are food allergies. More than 250 million people worldwide suffer from one or the other type of food allergy many of who are not even aware of them. Thus, chances are if you are suffering from prolonged health issues without any definite reason, it could be due to a food allergy.

One of the effects of food allergies is hair loss. We consulted an expert trichologist from Hair Transplant Clinic in Hyderabad to know more about food allergies and its role in hair related problems like hair shedding. Here is a list of ways in which it affects hair loss.

• Inflammation: Inflammation is a common effect of food allergy. The whole body gets inflammed along with the scalp and hair follicles. This causes the hair to fall out and stunt further hair growth.
• Nutrient Deficiency: Even if you are avoiding the food item that you are allergic to, you are missing out on the essential nutrient the food items have to offer. Though it is still manageable, the problem worsens if you are allergic to a whole group like dairy, red meat, pulses, gluten, etc. This will lead to severe nutrient deficiency leading to hair loss. A special case includes vitamin B12 deficiency due to a vegetarian person suffering from dairy allergy. Vitamin B12 deficiency directly affects hair loss.
• Scalp Rashes: Another common symptom of food allergy is intense itching and rashes. It can extend to the scalp as well. Scalp rashes, redness and itching cause trauma on the scalp causing the hair follicles to get damaged. Further, it can lead to telogen effluvium as well.
• Celiac: Celiac is an autoimmune disease associated with hair loss. It occurs when a person is allergic to gluten protein which is found in wheat, barley and rye. If consumed, it causes the antibodies to attack the food it is not able to digest. If the protein is not sourced adequately, one may suffer from protein deficiency which is a major cause of hair loss.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Some food allergies also cause hormones to fluctuate. Hormonal imbalance, especially the DHT hormone, has a negative impact on hair growth causing them to shed.

Hence, it can be seen that though food allergies seldom appear to directly cause baldness and hair loss, they are indeed the hidden root cause of the problem. If you are not aware of your allergy, you might dismiss your hair loss as a result of hormonal imbalance or scalp issues. Hence, visit a doctor to get personalized hair and scalp analysis. It will help you understand your hair loss problem better which will further help you get a clear idea on how to treat your problem better. Hair Loss and Hair Transplant Clinic in Hyderabad is best known for its experienced doctors and affordable prices. You can also avail free consultation and EMI options.