When is hair fall normal? And when is it not?

Welcome to Doctor's Corner, where medical experts from Makati Medical Center will answer health questions from readers! Got a question? Send them over to comment@gmanews.tv.

Q: Is falling hair normal?

Yes. Losing an average of 100-150 strands a day is normal and part of our hair’s growth cycle. When you lose more than that you might be experiencing a hair condition called telogen effluvium.

Hair shedding stems from a number of causes: Extreme weight loss, childbirth, intense stress, surgery, an illness that includes high fever, and when you stop taking birth-control pills.

The shedding can last for a few months until the body readjusts, or it can go on indefinitely, especially if you are exposed to the trigger. Being constantly under stress, for instance, increases your risk of long-term hair shedding.

You should consider seeing a doctor when you experience excessive hair shedding. Hair that falls in clumps and leaves your scalp with bald patches could be a symptom of an underlying condition; the autoimmune disease alopecia comes to mind. Consult your doctor (dermatologist) immediately.

Before you panic, try to identify possible reasons for your hair shedding. Did you recently experience a traumatic or highly emotional event? Are you recuperating from a serious illness? Have you been eating a balanced diet that includes healthy protein, the building block of hair? Do your haircare products and treatments contain harsh ingredients?

Expect improvements once you eliminate the cause of your falling hair. But if you’re still shedding hair despite removing what supposedly triggered it, then best to see your doctor.

Corazon Almira T. Mella MD is a Dermatology Specialist and the Head of the Hair Restoration Sub-unit of the Department of Dermatology at Makati Medical Center.