What does the state of your hair say about your health?

Many people are used to thinking that the quality and appearance of hair is related only to direct treatment of it and external factors. But, when we look at it calmly, we realize that hair is a much broader indicator and that it very clearly shows some failures in the functioning of our organism.

We analyze these aspects in more depth and add some problems that are usually related to hair. Some may suggest serious health problems, others not so much. Check out what these problems are right now.

The first and most obvious reason for the lack of shine and life is incorrect care, the excessive use of chemical products and dryers and curling irons.

In addition, hair usually has less shine in cold weather, when the amount of vitamins in the body decreases. This symptom can indicate a shortage of selenium, phosphorus and sulfur. To accurately determine what the problem is, it’s important to pay attention to the health of your gums and the appearance of cavities. If this happens, make an appointment with your doctor.

In general, dandruff is not a danger, but it does make a bad impression and can cause an unpleasant itch. The point is that the causes can be many. Perhaps you are using too much product on your hair. Also, dandruff can appear as a result of a specific diet, usually one that almost completely eliminates fat and carbohydrates from the diet.

Other reasons that can lead to the appearance of dandruff can be stress, intestinal problems or even issues related to the immune system. Greasy dandruff, usually a little yellow, can be a symptom of a dermatological problem, such as seborrheic dermatitis, whose treatment is more complicated than in the case of dry dandruff. In these cases, a special shampoo against dandruff may not be enough, the ideal is to go to the doctor to solve the problem once and for all.

Thin and brittle hair can be the result of an inadequate diet, which generally leads to a lack of proteins. Protein is the main component of body rebuilding. When protein is lacking in an organism, the skin, nails and hair are affected. The ideal is to eat more fruits and foods that balance this lack, such as meat and beans.

Already brittle hair can indicate more serious problems, for example Cushing’s disease. To understand if this is the case, start paying attention to symptoms such as chronic insomnia, high blood pressure, and back pain. And always talk to your doctor.

They say it’s normal to lose 100 hairs a day. This number can increase during certain periods of our lives, such as pregnancy and menopause. The simplest method to check that everything is fine, other than looking in the mirror, is to run your finger from root to tip. The ideal is that you take only 1 or 2 strands, or even none. From 2 to 5 strands is still okay. More than that can be worrying.

Active hair loss can be related to failures in the endocrine system, the immune system or it can be a sign of diabetes. The ideal is to go to the doctor and do the tests he asks for. It is possible that this problem is related to a lack of vitamins, or even stress. Therefore, try to rest and stop creating too far-fetched hairstyles.

Greasy hair is usually the result of an incorrect diet, usually with excess animal fat. To solve this problem, start limiting dishes with meat, fats, fried foods, sweets and alcohol. Also, don’t drink too much coffee. The functioning of the sebaceous gland can also be normalized with the help of tea tree oil: add a few drops to your shampoo and notice the difference.

If the problem is not food or hair care, perhaps your metabolism is weak, there may be a hormonal imbalance or even a liver problem. In these cases, talk to your doctor.

Gray hair is closely related to genetics and is also the result of a normal evolution of each body: with age, the melanocyte reserve, responsible for pigment production, inevitably runs out. On average, a woman’s hair starts to turn gray after the age of 30 or 40, but there are cases that deviate from the pattern in which this happens in younger women, even teenagers.

Premature graying does not usually affect the whole hair, but only some parts. It is often the result of severe stress, tiredness and poor diet, usually after a drastic reduction in protein. All points, according to researchers, lead to insufficient melanin, causing gray hair to appear earlier.

If this symptom is accompanied by the appearance of grains on the scalp or skin irritation, it is important that you talk to a dermatologist, as they can be symptoms of skin problems, such as psoriasis or eczema.

If the itching is not accompanied by anything else, maybe you are experiencing stress. The same problem leads some people to bite their nails. In this case, the ideal is to drink relaxing teas, vitamin B1 and B6 and, if the problem is more serious, talk to a neurologist, as there may be a small problem in the nervous system.

If we eliminate the obvious factors, such as the frequent use of a hairdryer and flat iron, the problem may lie in the lack of proteins, since, as mentioned earlier, they are responsible for rebuilding the body. A lack of iron can cause the scalp to get less oxygen.

In addition, this problem often appears in people who live on a diet, which can cause problems with the endocrine system. Try to eat properly and eat fish and carrots to recover the missing vitamins. Also try to drink orange juice and, to better digest the iron, don’t forget to drink a sufficient amount of water, avoiding dehydration.

Split ends, like dry hair, are the result of exposure to chemicals. Nevertheless, there are many types of split ends. Methods for treating and preventing each vary.

Let’s look at the 3 most common types:

Classic division: is the most common variation. In this case, you do not need to cut your hair; it is possible to resolve the situation with strong hydration and with the help of oils and masks.
‘Candle’: unlike the previous case, it is characterized by significant damage to the outer cuticle, and the ends do not separate. In this case, it is important to cut the hair. To prevent the problem from returning, use essential oils.
‘Feather’ or ‘tree’: hair is damaged and weakened at different points on the strand. Apparently, this happens due to excessive dryness, especially in people who decide to bleach their hair. The most important thing to do in this case is to stop using dyes, dryers or flat irons.

It is important to mention that all this information is just an introduction and should not be taken as a final diagnosis. As always, the ideal is to talk to a doctor and, if necessary, ask for some tests to eliminate suspicions and find out what is the best way to solve the problems.