What disease cause brittle hair?

Author: Prof. Jimmie Bartoletti IV  |  Last update: Saturday, July 26, 2025

Iron deficiency. Menkes syndrome (Menkes kinky hair syndrome) Ectodermal dysplasia (a group of conditions in which there is abnormal development of the skin, hair, nails, teeth, or sweat glands. Trichothiodystrophy (inherited disorder that causes brittle hair, skin problems, and intellectual disability)

What autoimmune disease causes dry brittle hair?

Sjogren's, a common autoimmune disease, is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.

What medical condition causes hair breakage?

Bald spots, thinning, and breakage can be symptoms of a serious underlying health condition such as alopecia, lupus, thyroid issues, and other common types of disease that cause hair loss. If you have noticed a dramatic increase in shedding or other change in the appearance of your hair, Drs.

What autoimmune disease attacks hair?

Alopecia areata is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. Hair follicles are the structures in skin that form hair. While hair can be lost from any part of the body, alopecia areata usually affects the head and face.

What hormone deficiency causes hair breakage?

Thyroid hormones

In most cases, you experience diffuse hair loss (thinning) over the entire scalp. Treating the thyroid disorder should restore normal hair growth, but it could take several months to see the difference, depending on where each follicle was in the growth cycle.

What HAIR LOSS Says About Your HEALTH: Top 15 Causes of Hair Loss (Doctor Explains)

What illness causes dry hair?

Underactive parathyroid (hypoparathyroidism) Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) Other hormone abnormalities. Menkes kinky hair syndrome.

What are 10 diseases caused by vitamin deficiency?

These include, but are not limited to, Protein Energy Malnutrition, Scurvy, Rickets, Beriberi, Hypocalcemia, Osteomalacia, Vitamin K Deficiency, Pellagra, Xerophthalmia, and Iron Deficiency.

What is a hair pull test?

This simple test measures the severity of hair loss. During a pull test, a dermatologist grasps small sections of hair, about 40 strands, from different parts of the scalp and gently tugs. If six or more strands fall out, you have what's known as active hair loss.

What are three signs of Sjögren's syndrome?

Other symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome can include:
  • dry skin that may be itchy.
  • a cough that does not go away.
  • a quiet or hoarse voice.
  • an unpleasant taste in you mouth caused by stomach acid (acid reflux)
  • swollen glands in your cheeks, neck and under your jaw (salivary glands)
  • vaginal dryness.

What hormone imbalance causes dry brittle hair?

Estrogen affects the growth cycle of your hair, your scalp and follicle health, and the natural oils that keep hair smooth and lustrous. So, when estrogen levels go down as you move through menopause, your hair may shed, thin, lose density, change texture, and become dry.

What are usually the first signs of lupus?

Symptoms
  • Fatigue.
  • Fever.
  • Joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
  • Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body.
  • Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure.
  • Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods.

What deficiency causes damaged hair?

A Biotin deficiency can cause brittle hair and hair thinning. Biotin supports the production of keratin, a protein that makes up the hair, skin and nails. While Biotin is found in various foods, such as eggs, nuts and seeds, a deficiency can still occur, leading to hair loss.

What medical conditions change hair texture?

Another cause of thinning hair that you likely have no control over is medication and underlying medical conditions. "Scalp conditions like psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, and underlying medical conditions like thyroid disease, can affect hair texture and cause hair to appear dry or dull," says Camp.

What underlying medical condition causes hair loss?

Symptom of a medical illness — Hair loss can be one of the symptoms of a medical illness, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), syphilis, a thyroid disorder (such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), a sex-hormone imbalance or a serious nutritional problem, especially a deficiency of protein, iron, zinc or ...

How to flush vitamin D out of system?

But how do you flush vitamin D out of your system – and can you even do that? Yes, by ensuring you consume plenty of water. This will encourage urination, allowing your body to shed the excess vitamin D and calcium more quickly. Prescription diuretics like furosemide can also be helpful.

What cancers cause B12 deficiency?

Particularly, individuals with lung, stomach, colon, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers are more prone to experiencing a deficiency in vitamin B12. This article will discuss different types of cancers causing vitamin B12 deficiency, associated symptoms, and available treatment options.

What does brittle hair indicate?

Brittle hair lacks moisture, resulting in dullness, dryness, and frizziness. Over-styling, washing, chemicals, and heat products often contribute to brittle hair. Sometimes, hormonal imbalances or malnutrition can cause it.

What is the disease that affects the hair?

Alopecia areata is the most common cause of one or more areas of localised baldness on the scalp and other hair-bearing areas. It is an autoimmune skin disease and is more common in those affected by, or with a family history of, vitiligo, diabetes and thyroid disease. It is also more common in Down syndrome.

Why is my hair suddenly so dry and brittle?

Common causes include scalp infections, such as fungal infections, and systemic illnesses. Nutritional deficiencies can also play a big part in hair health and can lead to dry, brittle hair. Poor treatment can also lead to brittle hair by causing damage to the hair shaft.

Does low estrogen cause brittle hair?

As oestrogen levels drop, hair follicles can constrict or shrink – some women may experience hair loss or thinning, and the hair shaft can become more fragile.

What neurological disorder causes hair loss?

Menke′s syndrome and Elejalde disease are the two neurodegenerative disorders of dermatological interest. These patients present with characteristic hair changes which may be of diagnostic value in resource-poor setup where facilities for specific genetic analysis are not available.

Can low thyroid cause hair breakage?

Conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and drug-induced hypothyroidism have been associated with widespread hair shedding. In approximately 50% of individuals with hyperthyroidism and 33% with hypothyroidism, hair loss is observed.

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