Table of Contents
Last updated on February 27th, 2024 at 11:56 pm
Anorexia hair is used to describe hair loss in anorexia, the growth of fine hairs all over the body in anorexia or both.
A common warning sign of anorexia includes changes in the hair.
Hair changes in eating disorders include:
- Thinning of hair
- Hair falling out
- Slowed hair growth
- Brittle hair
- The presence of fine hair all over the body
Hair changes in anorexia are linked to calorie, vitamin, and mineral deficiency.
This article will explore some of the reasons behind hair loss with food restriction, what causes body hair growth in anorexia, and the treatment for symptoms of anorexia.
Anorexia Hair Loss
If you have anorexia or another eating disorder, you are likely experiencing protein energy malnutrition.
Hair loss is common in malnutrition and starvation syndrome.
Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can lead to hair loss include:
- Vitamin D
- Iron
- Zinc
- Calcium
- Niacin deficiency
- Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Biotin
Inadequate protein intake as a result of low total calorie intake will also contribute to hair loss in anorexia.
Fat-soluble vitamin (A, D, E, and K) absorption is compromised in an eating disorder as a result of low calorie and fat intake. This can contribute to hair loss and abnormality.
With rapid weight loss and inadequate protein intake, we often see acute telogen effluvium(TE) or alopecia areata which are conditions observed with hair loss in anorexia.
While hair loss is one symptom of an eating disorder, not everyone with an eating disorder will experience hair loss.
If you are not experiencing hair loss but struggle with eating, you should not presume that you don’t have an eating disorder. Restricting food at any level is concerning and something that you should discuss with an eating disorder dietitian or other healthcare provider.
Behaviors that lead to Anorexia Hair Loss
- Purging
- Laxative use
- Manipulating or restricting insulin (for type 1 diabetics)
- Food restriction
- Compulsive exercise
Eating Disorder Hair Growth
If you have anorexia, you might experience the growth of lanugo.
Lanugo is a soft downy hair that grows on the face, spine, and sometimes over the body.
Contributors to Lanugo include:
- High-fiber diets often common in anorexia
- Low insulin like growth factor levels associated with anorexia
- Decreased activity of thyroid (hypothyroidism)
The reasons for lanugo growth are not entirely clear, but it is hypothesized that it is an effort of the body to conserve heat in the body. People with anorexia have a difficult time regulating body heat.
How Long After Anorexia Symptoms Start Does Hair Fall Out
Hair changes in anorexia are typically seen 3-6 months after food restriction begins.
These changes in an eating disorder will vary highly depending on:
- Genetics
- Level of restriction
- How quickly treatment is initiated
- Purging behavior (vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise)
Is Hair Loss From Anorexia Reversible
Yes. Hair loss and Lanugo growth in anorexia is reversible.
We will often see hair returning to its natural state during the weight restoration process from an eating disorder.
Reversing hair loss may require:
- A mechanical eating plan
- Achieving overshoot weight gain
- Getting your period back if you’ve lost it and return of hormones to normal
Treatment For Hair Changes In Eating Disorders
In order to reverse symptoms of anorexia you will likely need to follow a recovery meal plan carefully tailored to meet your unique dietary needs.
Treatment symptoms of anorexia including hair changes often require:
- You stop obsessively counting calories
- You challenge weight gain fears
- You challenge fear foods
- You honor all types of hunger
- Work on strategies to stop purging (if you are doing this)
- Break food rules
Recovery from an eating disorder is not easy and will require a qualified healthcare team. You should seek out meal support from those you trust during the initial stages of your anorexia recovery journey.
Your eating disorder voice will likely be loud and attempt to stop you from eating. This is where a support team for recovery will be critical.
Reversing symptoms of an eating disorder will often involve a full recovery. If you are struggling to find motivation for recovery, you can check out these recovery books to see the journeys of those that have gone through it before you.
- Help, I Feel Like I Don’t Deserve To Eat - September 7, 2024
- 8 Reasons Food is More Than Fuel - September 5, 2024
- Intuitive Eating For Eating Disorders: What You Should Know - September 3, 2024