Illnesses that cause brittle hair include thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism), severe malnutrition from eating disorders like anorexia, hypoparathyroidism (affecting calcium levels), Menkes syndrome (copper deficiency), iron deficiency, and certain genetic conditions like Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) and Monilethrix. These conditions disrupt hair's ability to retain moisture or weaken the hair shaft, making it prone to breakage, often alongside other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or skin issues.
Trichothiodystrophy, commonly called TTD, is a rare inherited condition that affects many parts of the body. The hallmark of this condition is hair that is sparse and easily broken. In people with trichothiodystrophy, tests show that the hair is lacking sulfur-containing proteins that normally gives hair its strength.
Bald spots, thinning, and breakage can be symptoms of a serious underlying health condition such as alopecia, lupus, thyroid issues, and other common types of disease that cause hair loss. If you have noticed a dramatic increase in shedding or other change in the appearance of your hair, Dr.
Many foods contain zinc, but the body cannot store it, so we need to eat it daily. Factors like malabsorption, illness, stress, and allergies can deplete zinc levels. Not enough zinc can cause hair to shed and break easily. It can also affect growth and weaken the immune system.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin is involved in keratin production, the main structural protein of hair. It also supports the health of the scalp and skin. Although true biotin deficiency is rare, when it does occur, it can cause thinning hair, brittle strands, and even rashes on the scalp.
When deficiency disrupts vitamin D in your scalp, the anagen (growth) phase shortens. This prematurely pushes more resting follicles into the telogen (rest) phase. Excessive shedding occurs, resulting in thinner hair.
Symptoms such as pins and needles, disturbed vision, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness and problems with balancing and walking, psychological problems such as depression and confusion, problems with memory, understanding and judgement could also be related to B12 deficiency.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that attacks your body's hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss. Medications and therapies can help your hair regrow, though severe cases may not respond to treatment.
A deficiency in biotin (vitamin B7) can result in brittle strands, increased shedding, and hair thinning along the crown. Biotin plays a role in keratin infrastructure, helping produce stronger, thicker strands that are less prone to breakage. Best sources: egg yolks, sweet potatoes, and almonds.
The "Big 3" for thinning hair, especially male/female pattern baldness, are typically Minoxidil (Rogaine), Finasteride (Propecia), and sometimes Ketoconazole shampoo, or even Microneedling, forming a multimodal approach to stimulate growth and block hormones (DHT) causing hair loss, with Minoxidil boosting circulation, Finasteride inhibiting DHT, and Ketoconazole reducing inflammation and acting as a mild anti-androgen.
Alopecia areata is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. Hair follicles are the structures in skin that form hair. While hair can be lost from any part of the body, alopecia areata usually affects the head and face.
Medical conditions include alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), which is immune system related and causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh).
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone both men and women produce, and it's usually at the center of hormonal hair loss issues. When your body has too much DHT, your hair follicles can experience a shortened growth phase, which results in thinner, weaker hair strands that are more prone to falling out.
Brittle hair is hair that is dry, breakable, and dull. It's usually a sign your strands need some TLC. Luckily, caring for brittle hair is as simple as protecting your locks from heat, chemicals, weather, and rough styling techniques.
Shampoo For Dry Brittle Hair
Washing severely damaged hair (hair with breakage, brittle ends and extreme dryness), no more than twice a week. If you can wash your damaged hair once a week without it getting too greasy, then aim for once a week. The less you wash your damaged hair, the better.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur.
How to hydrate and repair brittle hair
Foods for good hair
Lupus can also affect your hair and nails
The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can cause dry, coarse hair to develop along the hairline. These dry, coarse hairs break off easily, causing the sparse-looking hair known as lupus hair. Other types of hair loss also develop.
Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:
Some people with Sjögren's find their hair to be dry or dull-looking. And some Sjögren's patients may also experience hair problems like: Dry and brittle hair. Alopecia: hair loss or thinning.
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.
The foods highest in Vitamin B12 are animal products, with clams and liver (beef, lamb) being exceptionally rich sources, often providing several hundred percent of the daily value in a single serving, alongside seafood like mussels, sardines, and salmon, dairy, eggs, and fortified cereals and nutritional yeast for vegans.