What medical conditions cause brittle hair?

Author: Dr. Kathryn Bartell II  |  Last update: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Causes
  • Excessive hair washing, or using harsh soaps or alcohols.
  • Excessive blow-drying.
  • Dry air due to the climate.
  • Malnutrition.
  • Anorexia.
  • Underactive parathyroid (hypoparathyroidism)
  • Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
  • Other hormone abnormalities.

What illness causes brittle hair?

Thyroid disorders

Thyroid disorders can cause hair breakage. If people have a thyroid disorder, they may notice very brittle, dry, and dull hair. Hair can also become thinner, or people may notice excessive shedding or bald patches.

What underlying conditions cause hair breakage?

However, you may experience unusual hair breakage due to stress, illness, hormones, or aging. Simple observations and daily assessments can help to keep your hair healthy for as long as possible.

What autoimmune disease causes hair breakage?

Alopecia areata is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss.

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

Does lupus make your hair brittle?

How Can Lupus Affect Hair? While lupus itself may not directly cause your dry, brittle hair, medications and other associated health issues can also weaken the hair shaft. These include: Anemia: With an iron deficiency, red blood cells may not have enough hemoglobulin to properly move oxygen throughout the body.

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 illness can make your hair fall out?

Medical conditions include alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), which is immune system related and causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh).

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.

Can lack of zinc cause brittle hair?

A zinc deficiency can cause diffuse hair shedding and breakage — as well as other symptoms, such as stunted growth and poor immune system function. It is preferable to obtain zinc through your diet, rather than supplements.

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.

Can thyroid problems cause brittle hair?

Thyroid cancer, particularly when accompanied by thyroid dysfunction, can lead to changes in the hair's texture. Patients might notice that their hair becomes dry, brittle, and prone to breakage [53].

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 diseases cause brittle hair?

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)

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.

What damages hair the most?

Causes of Damaged Hair

Here are some of the most common: Overwashing: Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage. Over-processing: Using a lot of heat styling or chemical treatments, such as bleaching, can also damage your hair.

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.

What blood tests are done for hair loss?

Essential Blood Tests for Hair Loss
  • Vitamin D Test – Deficiencies of Vitamin D can cause hair loss. ...
  • Vitamin B12 Test– Check for vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause brittle hair and hair loss. ...
  • Thyroid Test– An overactive or underactive thyroid can disrupt your hair growth cycle.

Does low estrogen cause hair breakage?

Menopause and hair loss often coincide in many women. During menopause, the body goes through significant hormonal changes, particularly a decrease in estrogen levels. This hormonal shift can lead to various symptoms, including hair loss or thinning.

What autoimmune disease causes dry brittle hair?

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

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 do lupus toes look like?

Lupus Symptom: Raynaud's

This happens when small blood vessels spasm and restrict blood flow to the area. During an attack, the fingers and toes may turn white or blue.

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