What does dry brittle hair indicate?

Author: Golda Braun  |  Last update: Sunday, April 13, 2025

Brittle hair can feel straw-like to the touch. The dryness that leads to brittle hair can happen because of overwashing, styling products, or blow-drying. Hormonal imbalances, nutrition, and environmental factors can also play a role.

What deficiency causes dry brittle hair?

Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur. Studies have even proven that low levels of vitamin D are also responsible for premature graying. Diagnosing vitamin D deficiency involves a simple blood test to check levels.

What autoimmune disease causes dry brittle hair?

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

What hormone deficiency causes brittle hair?

The main hormones that determine the nature of your hair follicles are Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, androgens and insulin. A lack of Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine can make hair feel dry and brittle. Whereas an increase in androgens are more closely connected to affecting shape.

Does low estrogen cause dry brittle hair?

Lower estrogen levels mean less sebum is produced. Sebum is the oil that lubricates the scalp. The result is dry skin and a flaky scalp. If there is less sebum on your scalp, there is less to infuse itself into your hair, so your hair is also drier, duller, more brittle, and more prone to breakage.

Causes for Dry, Brittle Hair

Why is my hair so dry no matter what I do?

“There are many causes for dry hair, including winter weather, heat styling, age, environment, health problems, or just a naturally dry scalp,” says Dr.

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 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.

Is brittle hair a symptom of hypothyroidism?

People with hypothyroidism may also develop dry, brittle, and coarse hair or dull, thin nails that break easily. These symptoms usually clear up once people begin thyroid hormone therapy.

Does putting coconut oil on your hair help?

Coconut oil can have many benefits for your hair and scalp. It is used to relieve dandruff, restore luster to dry and damaged hair, tame frizz, and protect hair against styling damage. It is safe to use on all hair types.

Can low iron make your hair brittle?

Low levels of iron can often change the texture of your hair. It can go from feeling smooth and silky to dry and brittle. The main answer to this is that when you're low in iron, your body takes ferritin, a blood protein that contains iron, from your hair follicles for use in other parts of the body.

Can brittle hair be restored?

However, while it is true that hair products cannot repair the hair strand itself, they can help improve the appearance, manageability, and overall health of damaged hair. Many hair care products, such as oils, conditioners, and treatments, work by providing moisture, nourishment, and protection to the hair shaft.

What medications cause dry hair?

There are several types of medications, some taken daily that cause dry hair including anti-depressants, certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, gout, antifungal and high blood pressure medication, weight loss drugs, hormonal therapy, and more.

Why is my hair like straw?

Hair feels like straw when it lacks moisture, has damaged cuticles, or has stripped natural oils.

What does lupus hair look like?

The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can cause dry, coarse hair to develop along the hairline. These dry, coarse hairs break off easily, causing the sparse-looking hair known as lupus hair. Other types of hair loss also develop.

What is lupus belly?

Lupus can also cause other problems in the abdomen, including peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) and ascites (a build-up of fluids in the abdomen). Symptoms of peritonitis and ascites include: Abdominal pain and swelling. Nausea and vomiting.

What is Sjögren's tongue?

The main symptoms of Sjögren's disease are: Dry mouth. Your tongue and your throat will feel dry and chewing and swallowing may be difficult or painful. Dry eyes. Your eyes may burn or itch or feel as if you have a piece of sand in your eye.

What is the best vitamin for Sjögren's?

In conclusion, incorporating the right vitamins into your diet can help alleviate some of the symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome. Vitamin D, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E are some of the vitamins with promising results for Sjogren's Syndrome.

What is the life expectancy of someone with Sjögren's?

In most people with Sjögren syndrome, dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary features of the disorder, and general health and life expectancy are largely unaffected.

Why is my hair so brittle all of a sudden?

Over-styling, washing, chemicals, and heat products often contribute to brittle hair. Sometimes, hormonal imbalances or malnutrition can cause it. You can improve your hair's moisture content by limiting hair-washing, conditioning every time you wash, and limiting how much you expose your hair to high-heat products.

What am I lacking if my hair is dry?

Lack of moisture could be from any number of reasons, including the environment, the hair products you're using (and might be overusing), and hair texture. For one, dry climates contribute to dry hair because the molecules in the air are thirsty for water molecules, and thus pull them out of the hair.

What can I put on my hair so it won't be so dry?

To make your hair soft and silky, hydration is key. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, try out a hair mask, use a hair oil, avoid heat styling products, and get a fresh haircut.

Previous article
Can I whiten my teeth every 3 months?
Next article
How do I stop my hair from going brassy?