Vijay Menon Vijay Menon Asked 4 months ago

Does anesthesia cause hair loss?

For a minor surgery next month, I'm scheduled to go, and I'm a bit nervous about the general anesthesia. Someone told me that anesthesia can cause hair loss. Is there any truth to this?

7

7 answers

Siddharth Menon Siddharth Menon Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago
Most liked

Honestly, I don't know if it is the anesthesia from my surgery or just my newborn baby keeping me awake all night, but my hair is definitely leaving me. But seriously, the stress of surgery itself can cause temporary hair fall, so don't stress your head too much.

Ramesh Bhandari Ramesh Bhandari Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

Don't get scared by the sudden hair fall after an operation, beta. I had a bypass surgery ten years back and experienced the same thing after a few weeks. It is just your body recovering from the shock, and the hair comes back normal in a few months.

Abhishek Dubey Abhishek Dubey Joined May 2026 4 months ago

While many people say surgery stress causes hair loss, it is always better to get your thyroid and iron levels checked after an operation. Sometimes the body's healing process depletes your nutrients. Please consult your physician once to be safe.

Powered by

Consult a dermatologist

Ayesha Kapur Ayesha Kapur Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

Anesthesia itself doesn't directly damage hair follicles, but the physiological stress of the procedure can shift hair into the shedding phase. This is a well-known temporary condition. I'd highly recommend speaking to your dermatologist to rule out other nutritional deficiencies.

Priyanka Das Priyanka Das Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

I had a major surgery under general anesthesia three months ago and noticed terrible hair fall last month. My doctor told me it is called telogen effluvium, which is just the body's reaction to the stress of surgery and anesthesia. She assured me it is temporary and will grow back.

Related reads

All articles
Tina Dsouza Tina Dsouza Joined Feb 2026 4 months ago

Hey! Don't worry at all, this is super common after any surgery! 🌸 It is just your body taking a little rest and recovery break. Drink lots of water, eat healthy, and your beautiful hair will be back to normal soon! ✨

Meenakshi Sundaram Meenakshi Sundaram Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Yes, surgical stress and anesthesia can trigger temporary shedding about 2-3 months post-op. Don't waste money on expensive shampoos right now. Focus on a high-protein diet, take your multivitamins, and give your body at least six months to bounce back.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.