Every individual loses hair every day from infancy to their old age. Hair follicles daily go through their normal cyclic activities as some of these go into their growth phase, shedding phase and resting phase. The growth, shedding and resting phases are also known as anagen, catagen and telogen phases respectively. It takes years to complete the cyclic activity of the follicles. About 1 % or fewer of scalp follicles remain in shedding phase at a time. More than 100 hairs are lost each day which is a normal condition of the loss and should not be worried about it.
Temporary loss may be caused by hypothyroidism. Treatment of the underlying hormone deficiency usually helps to restore hairs as it returns follicles to their normal cycle. Severe anemia in women caused by heavy menstruation and inadequate intake of Iron in diet after pregnancy also becomes a cause behind the disorder. Iron supplementation and other medical treatments against anemia can correct the disorder and prevent it causing the loss. Transient loss may appear in women during or after their pregnancy. Hormonal changes during the pregnancy can cause shifting of hair-follicle to catagen (shedding) phase. High level of estrogen plays a crucial role during this type of loss. Though the loss is temporary but it may persist for several months after pregnancy. This loss during pregnancy however requires investigation for its confirmation about actual cause.
Extreme physical or emotional stress and high fever may cause temporary hair loss. Several physical and emotional stresses have been reported to be linked with the shift of abnormally high number of follicles into their shedding phase. Prolonged fever like typhoid and trauma cause hair shedding and hair miniaturization, also known as Telogen effluvium. This produces small and weak hairs on scalp. Anagen affluvium is developed after chemotherapy or exposure to hair follicle toxins.
Changes in the hair cycles due to stress, chemotherapy, fever and some medications are almost temporary however they are not acceptable cosmetically to make daily hairstyles on head and face. Temporary loss may be caused through lack of proteins in diet. Proteins are useful to make cells of Keratin in the follicles. Hairs are made up of Keratin a protein type. Protein rich foods including cereals, pulses, condiments, dry fruits, tofu, soya products, peas, grams, beans, eggs, meat and fish etc. are useful for it growth. Temporary loss may go for several months and it could create a stressful environment around a patient experiencing the loss. It would be better to consult a nearest dermatologist who can help for its prevention positively.