effluviums - vitamin associated effluvium

Vitamin B complex consists of several vitamins that are similar in their molecular structure and activity. The vitamin B complex includes B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), niacin (nicotinic acid), B6 (a group of related pyridines), B12 (cyanocobalamin), folic acid, pantothenic acid, and biotin. Of these biotin is arguably the most important for hair follicles.

Hair follicle cells have a high rate of metabolism and all vitamin Bs are important in metabolic function. A biotin deficiency can potentially lead to a reduction in hair follicle activity and telogen effluvium. The more severe the deficiency the more extreme the hair loss. Effluvium develops uniformly all over the head and body and can be associated with eczema-like skin problems. Extreme biotin deficiency also involves poor eye vision and nervous system abnormalities. Administering biotin permits hair regrowth and improvement in skin quality.

Extreme vitamin C deficiency of course has serious symptoms with bleeding from the nose and mouth. This extreme deficiency disease is called scurvy. Vitamin is essential for wound healing and in the formation of collagen, a protein important in the formation of healthy skin, tendons, bones, and supportive tissues. Deficiency results in defective collagen formation and is marked by joint pains, irritability, and growth retardation.

Deficiency of vitamin C does not directly cause hair loss but it does affect skin quality and in turn the formation of hair fiber. When vitamin C is deficient, the cells of hair follicle canal, where the hair fiber pushes through to the skin surface, become overactive and a plug of keratin forms to block the hair canal. Hair from these follicles takes on an abnormal corkscrew shape.

Vitamin C deficiency can indirectly promote telogen effluvium. Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron derived from cereals and vegetables. A lack of vitamin C can lead to iron deficiency that may directly cause hair loss.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is easily destroyed upon exposure to heat, light, or air. It is essential for the proper functioning of most body organs and also affects the immune system.

Extreme vitamin A deficiency results in various disorders that involve the eye and the epithelial tissues the skin and the mucous membranes lining the internal body surfaces. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness, and continued deficiency eventually may result in loss of sight. The skin may become dry and rough with prolonged deficiency.

Excessive intake of vitamin A causes a toxic condition. Symptoms can include nausea, coarsening and loss of hair, dry and scaly skin, bone pain, fatigue, and drowsiness. The hair loss is a form of telogen effluvium and can become quite severe affecting the entire scalp and body.

There are several drug treatments available that are vitamin A derivatives and have been associated with hair loss in some people. Aciterin, etretinate, retinoic acid, and isotretinoin are vitamin A derivative drugs. Vitamin A and derivative drugs inhibit cell division and slow down keratinization. This is beneficial when treating conditions such as acne where skin cells are over active and hyperkeratinized. However, too much vitamin A or over use of vitamin A related drugs can cause a slow down in hair follicle activity.