Does Stress Make Male Hair Loss Worse?'

Matty

Question: I have psoriasis which flares up badly when I get stressed and it's pretty bad right now. My hair's started thinning on top and I already had a bit of a receding hairline but I didn't think I was losing my hair as badly or quickly as it seems to be going now. Because my skin condition is bad and I'm sure it's because of stress I wanted to know if stress can make my hair loss worse too and what I can do to stop it. Cheers.

Answer: Hi, Matty. You are absolutely right in thinking stress and hair loss can be linked.

In fact, one of the biggest causes of hair loss is stress as it can spark off a number of different hair loss conditions as well as exacerbating male pattern baldness in those with an existing genetic predisposition. As you mention you already have a receding hairline, his sounds the likely cause of your increased shedding, although there are other conditions which should be considered too.

Stress is known to be one of the factors in Telogen Effluvium (TE), a temporary condition which causes an increased shedding of the hair across the whole scalp. Although it tends to last no longer than six months and clears up on its own, if you have been affected by TE - which can appear alongside other forms of hair loss simultaneously - it could be the case that it has accelerated your thinning.

Another point worth considering is whether your psoriasis - of which stress is also a common trigger - could also be affecting your scalp as this too can lead to hair loss.

As there are so many factors and possible reasons for your increase in thinning, we recommend you take professional advice from a specialist who will be able to determine the cause - or causes - and recommend a personally-tailored hair loss treatment solution.