LYME HAIR LOSS IS REAL!

Lyme never comes alone. Besides the co-infections, the people infected with Borrelia Burgdorferi may experience a myriad of symptoms, from those specific to the illness to some unexpected ones.

Each day brings a new struggle. The Lyme journey is anything but boring! In fact, it is a learning experience, as the Lymies have to learn on their own how to navigate their path towards  their recovery.

As if dealing with a multitude of symptoms on a daily basis was not challenging enough, Lyme sufferers have to overcome other disheartening problems such as hair loss or nailbreaking.  Many of the patients complain about losing close to 50% of their hair. Men and women equally are affected by this undesired and stressful experience.

Since the bacteria has the ability to evade the immune system, would you be surprised to learn that Lyme is the culprit for the hair loss? More than thirty years ago, research shown that Lyme had the ability to cause a hair loss similar to a telogen effluvium.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES CONTRIBUTING TO HAIR LOSS?

• Stress (physical and mental)- all Lymies have it skyrocketing!
• Mineral Deficiencies – iron, zinc and magnesium
• Vitamin Deficiency – vitamin B and vitamin D
• Hormone Disruption – low hormonal levels
• Autoimmunity – The inflammation from Lyme and autoimmune conditions can attack the hair follicles and lead to hair loss.
• Drugs -prescribed medicine, antibiotics
• Toxicity build up – difficulty to flush out toxins due to an overload

HOW TO SUPPORT HAIR REGROWTH?

• Switch to an anti-inflammatory diet
• Ensure you have sufficient levels of iron and vitamin D as Lyme depletes your iron levels. Vitamin D stimulates hair follicles, so a deficiency may lead to hair loss.
• Take supplements ( biotin, gelatine, collagen as well as primrose oil)
• Inquire the doctor or the pharmacist about  the side effects of your medication.
• Choose a natural shampoo without any of the following ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Myreth Sulfate, Siloxanes Derivatives of Lauryl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol (Antifreeze), Olefin Sulfonate (Deodorized Kerosene). You may want to look for one in a natural products store. If not you can try out Nizoral for couple of months.
• Do not blow dry your hair!
• Do not bleach or dye your hair. If you do, ensure you use natural products!
• Use less hair products!

HOW TO BOOST THE GROWTH OF YOUR HAIR?

Try some of the following:

• Do a hair treatment with organic coconut oil at least once in two weeks!
• Apply olive oil, organic primrose oil, almond oil, argan oil or jojoba oil as they hydrate and stimulate the growth. You can apply a small amount (the size of a quarter) on damp hair and work it through your ends.
• Rinse with colder water in order to protect the inner layer of your hair and retain hydrating oils.
• Once in a way try rinsing with apple cider vinegar to restore the pH balance in your hair. You can mix 2-3 spoons of apple cider vinegar with water and pour the mixture after you had applied the shampoo and conditioner. Let it sit for a few minutes then rinse again.
• Apply herbal tinctures or simply fresh plants such as aloe, rosemary, sage, witch hazel or parsley to the hair, as they are known to help with hair grow back.
• Create a daily detox routine and stick to it! It can be a bath, a sauna session, oil pulling, massage, a smoothie, anything!
• Love yourself and keep an eye on your energy levels.
• Laugh and make room for healing!