Does general anesthesia cause hair loss?

Question

I had a minor surgery a couple of months back and received general anesthesia. Ever since, I've noticed more hair fall than usual. Is it possible that general anesthesia can cause hair loss?

Aman Sen · Accepted Answer

I was looking this up recently because my cousin is having a surgery next month. It turns out that general anesthesia itself doesn't cause hair loss, but the physical stress of a major surgery can trigger a temporary shedding phase called telogen effluvium a few months later. It is usually temporary, which is reassuring.

Siddharth Roy · Answer

It is more about the shock of the surgery on your system rather than the anesthesia drug itself. Once your surgeon clears you for it, starting gentle walks and eating a high-protein diet will help your body recover faster, which also helps hair growth.

Kavita Sharma · Answer

Don't worry too much, hair fall after surgery is quite common due to the body's weakness. I always suggest drinking fresh amla juice and gently massaging the scalp with warm coconut oil to help the roots recover. Give your body time to heal first.

Saran Kaur · Answer

Shedding after a big medical procedure can be stressful, but please don't worry. Your body is just recovering its strength right now, and your hair will slowly grow back once you are fully healthy again.

Rahul Verma · Answer

I had a knee surgery under general anesthesia last year and noticed a lot of hair fall about three months later. I got super scared, but my doc told me it's just the body's reaction to stress. It stopped on its own in a few weeks and came back to normal.

Sanjay Deshmukh · Answer

Look, your body just went through a major surgery, so obviously it is focusing all its energy on healing your internal organs, not your hair. This shedding is totally normal and temporary. Eat proper food, take your vitamins, and stop stressing about it.

Does general anesthesia cause hair loss?

6 answers

Consult a dermatologist

Related reads

Log in or sign up