Dr. Maeve O'Connor
In personOnlineIMC verified
Hair fall
Hair fall means losing more hair than usual from the scalp or body. It is common after stress, illness, childbirth, nutritional problems or scalp conditions, and a clinician can help look for treatable causes.
When to get emergency care
Get emergency help immediately if you have any of these:
- Hair fall after a burn, chemical injury or painful scalp wound.
- Hair fall with a painful, swollen or pus-filled scalp, especially with fever.
- Sudden patchy hair loss with severe scalp pain or widespread rash.
- Hair fall with extreme weakness, fainting, heavy bleeding, or rapid unexplained weight loss.
- Hair fall causing thoughts of self-harm or feeling unsafe.
Get emergency help or call 112
Common causes
- Recent fever, illness, surgery, stress or childbirth.
- Low iron, thyroid problems or nutritional deficiency.
- Dandruff, fungal infection or other scalp conditions.
- Tight hairstyles, harsh chemicals or heat damage.
- Family tendency to patterned hair thinning.
What to expect at your consultation
- A clinician may ask about recent illness, childbirth, stress, diet, medicines and family history.
- They may examine the scalp for dandruff, infection, patches or scarring.
- Blood tests may be suggested if deficiency, thyroid or hormone causes are possible.
Looking after yourself
- Use gentle hair handling and avoid tight hairstyles or harsh chemical treatments.
- Eat regular balanced meals where possible.
- Seek medical advice if hair fall is sudden, patchy, painful or continues.
Frequently asked questions
- Is hair fall an emergency?
- Hair fall alone is usually not an emergency, but painful scalp infection, burn, chemical injury or self-harm thoughts need urgent help.
- Can fever cause hair fall later?
- Yes. Some people notice extra shedding weeks after fever, stress or childbirth.
- Can low iron cause hair fall?
- Low iron and other nutritional problems can contribute, but testing and advice should come from a clinician.
- Which doctor treats hair fall?
- A dermatologist can assess scalp and hair causes. A general physician can check general health factors.
Not sure how urgent this is?
Answer a few questions and we will tell you how soon to be seen.
Check my symptomsWhich doctor should I see?
- Dermatologist Best fit for scalp disease, patchy loss, dandruff, infection or patterned thinning.
- General Physician Can look for general causes such as recent illness, thyroid or nutritional problems.
Not sure? See a general physician
Related doctors
Verified profiles for hair fall start with dermatologist.
Not sure which doctor fits? See a general physician