balding mama!

[havilah]

HELP!!! My hair is falling out!

I started the no-poo thing at the beginning of February and noticed *lots* of shedding shortly after. After about 3 weeks I went back to 'poo to see if maybe my new hair routine was the problem. Nope, it didn't seem to be.

Now I'm getting antsy about it. Every shower I am able to get strands every time I run my fingers through my hair My hair is thin and fine to begin with, so I'm really stingy with what little I have!

Is this a red flag for any particular nutritional deficiency? I don't have any other obvious symptoms of thyroid issues or anything. I am 4 months post-partum, though.

Please, health-nut mamas - got any ideas? My husband is thinning and my son is bald. Somebody in this fam needs some hair

[mamangazelle]

I know it is normal to loose some hair postpartum, but I'm not sure for how long. I think I lost some untill the 4th or 5th month.
I wouldn't worry unless you really see bald spots or if it continues for too long.
HTH

[MamaMonica]

There's also a fungus that can do this- can't remember the name. Is it scaly with some broken hairs? If so, check for fungal infection.

[ShannonCC]

I do not have any references in front of me right now but have always heard that it's common for hair to fall out post partum. What happens (so I've read/been told) is that your hair grows rather well during pg and very little falls out during that 9 months. That's why most pg moms have such beautiful hair A few months post partum it makes up for it and what should have shed during that time starts shedding all at once (normally your hair sheds a bit every day - not alot at once). It has happened to me both pregnancies so far. It does even out after awhile and you go back to normal

Having said all that, I have thinning hair but so does my mom so I think it's genetic Yeah, some of us are just lucky in that regard : My thinning hair started after I had kids but I'm pretty sure it's just age.

[CarrieMF]

I'd bet its postpartum hair loss. I had it from 6wks to 5months, maybe longer. I have enough hair for 3 people so I didn't mind the hair loss.lol

[havilah]

Thanks, ladies You make me feel soooo much better! My hair was pretty luscious while I was pregnant, I guess I'd forgotten how thin it was to begin with

Oh, well. Maybe the no 'poo will maximize what I have

[mamawanabe]

I went through this for years with no kids and no heredity hair loss in my family. Dermotologists and doctors blew me off and gave me all sorts of crap (special anti-fungal shampoo, even peanut oil for my scalp) to no avail.

I've decided it was the combination of stress and too much soy (began in grad school when I went vegan and was eating soy like crazy).

You may want to limit soy for a while since your hormones are wacked right now as it is due to baby.

Tea tree oil is a natural anti-fungi thing, so you could add a couple of drops to your shampoo just in case.

Good luck!

[~*max*~]

I agree w/the postpartum consensus. I am 4 months pp right now & have been losing hair like mad for the past month - tons in the shower drain, hairbrush, on baby, everywhere! Rosemary eo is good for hair loss, as well as hair & scalp health. You might want to try adding some into your no 'poo system. If you massage it into your scalp w/a little jojoba oil it feels great & is an excellent conditioner. (W/thin hair you will want to wash it out, in a few hours or the next day or it will look too greasy.) Good luck.

[havilah]

I'll try the rosemary. It smells nice, anyway, so it can't hurt. I appreciate the suggestion

I don't really eat much soy, other than a little soymilk on my cereal. I'll watch it, though, to make sure. I'm sure my hormones are still all over the map with PP and nursing changes.

I can't wait for all of this hair loss to settle down, but I'm glad to know that it's a fairly common (and self-limiting!) phenomenon.

Many thanks, all

[myrrhmaid]

nak

alfalfa herb is wonderful for hair.
full of minerals.
take it internally.
also if you are nursing-be sure and continue taking prenatal vitamins.