Hair and your health

Thinning hair and premature greying may indicate illness or nutritional deficiencies, say experts

- Akshita Nanda

Ms Evelyn Ng began losing clumps of hair in 2024, after two corrective knee operations that led her to use a wheelchair or walking aid for six months.

"The hair fell from everywhere," recalls the 53-year-old, who works in administration at a plant nursery. "No matter how I combed my hair, I couldn't hide the bald spots."

Ms Ng's hair has begun to grow out after treatment at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). She says her doctor also ordered blood tests to check whether the hair loss was related to another medical condition.

It was later determined that the hair loss was associated with the shocks to her system from ongoing knee inflammation, and then prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation after surgery.

Doctors say that hair issues may arise from stress, injury or illness, but may also signal other underlying health problems. The most common hair issue that drives people to doctors is hair loss, though premature greying might also be a warning sign.

When Dr Evelyn Tay of private practice Lumine Dermatology & Laser Clinic sees patients with sudden or inexplicable hair loss, she asks for their most recent health screening results or may order lab tests.

Thyroid dysfunction can affect hair growth and loss, as can nutritional deficiencies, she says.

Deficiencies in iron or vitamin B12 can also lead to premature greying, she adds.

Dr Eileen Tan, of private practice Eileen Tan Skin Clinic & Associates, recommends seeking professional help from a doctor or dermatologist in case of sudden or unusual hair loss.

Some patients who came to her for help with hair loss turned out to be in the second stage of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection.

Patients are at risk of severe organ damage if this stage of the disease is left untreated. They are also infectious and pose a risk to their sexual partners.