Lyme Disease and Hair Loss: The Facts

Due to a number of recent celebrity diagnoses, Lyme Disease is currently under the media spotlight. As well as causing debilitating tiredness and memory lapses, sufferers including Yolanda Foster and Avril Lavigne may also experience hair loss.

Olsen sister's thinning hair

Radar Online has reported how the luxury fashion designer and former child TV star, Ashley Olsen looks to have thinning hair. The twin was pictured in a candid - and slightly blurred - paparazzi snap (right) that purported to show the 28 year old's signature long blonde hair thinning as her parting appeared wider than normal compared to how she usually looks (below right).

The article speculates how this may be linked to Olsen's Lyme Disease given this illness is caused by an upset of the thyroid system following a tick bite, and thyroid issues are known to prompt temporary hair loss.

Whilst it is impossible to tell if Ashely Olsen has been affected from the photo in question, it is absolutely true that Lyme Disease - and many other illnesses - can trigger temporary hair loss conditions. In some cases, these temporary conditions can also spark or exacerbate any underlying genetic hair loss.

Can trigger hair loss conditions

The first condition linked to Lyme Disease is known as Telogen Effluvium (TE).

TE occurs when the hair growth cycle is disrupted and internal stressors - in this case Lyme Disease but emotional stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition and medication side effects can also be to blame - prematurely force hair follicles into their resting ('Telogen') phase. This causes hair to shed from all over the head up to three months later, leaving hair looking thinner and often more brittle than before.

Whilst Telogen Effluvium tends to last a maximum of six months, should the cause of the hair loss not be addressed - which can be difficult when an on-going medical condition is responsible - this could progress. Chronic Telogen Effluvium also causes diffuse thinning all over the scalp but tends to last for a minimum of six months.

As there is currently no cure for Lyme Disease, it is likely that the thinning Ashley Olsen is said to be experiencing could be due to Chronic Telogen Effluvium.

Treating hair loss from Lyme Disease

Practicing holistic self-care such as getting enough sleep, managing any stress and following a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, is crucial for anyone with Lyme Disease. Ensuring your body receives the necessary nutritional support for healthy hair growth is important. If this cannot be achieved through diet alone, supplements such as Hair Vitalics may be beneficial.

Whilst hair loss from either of these conditions should regrow naturally, it could take six-to-twelve months so some people like to consider treatment to spur this on.

Treatment for Chronic Telogen Effluvium can be provided by a hair loss specialist who may work in tandem with clients' medical supervisors during their illness, if required. Once a professional diagnosis has been established, it is important to understand and address the root cause of the hair loss condition in order to effectively promote regrowth.

Once this has been done, a bespoke treatment plan featuring a high strength minoxidil - which has produced significant regrowth results for many Belgravia clients - and hair growth boosters, can be tailored to clients' specific needs. A dedicated Treatment Advisor will also be able to provide on-going hair loss advice and support, giving Lyme Disease patients one less thing to worry about.