“Is it normal to lose hair after general anesthesia?”

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“Is it normal to lose hair after general anesthesia?”

I had a surgery under general anesthesia 4 days ago. I noticed today that I have hair loss. Is it normal to lose hair after general anesthesia?

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**Dr. Rajendran G. Nair** Anesthesiologist Pensacola, Florida · Accepted Answer

Dr. Rajendran G. Nair Anesthesiologist Pensacola, Florida

No

**Dr. Bernard Wittels** Anesthesiologist Evanston, IL · Accepted Answer

Dr. Bernard Wittels Anesthesiologist Evanston, IL

Hair loss (alopecia) has many potential causes, but general anesthesia itself is not one of them.

**Michael Panger** Anesthesiologist Charleston, West Virginia · Accepted Answer

Michael Panger Anesthesiologist Charleston, West Virginia

It is a recognized issue post-op, but probably related to surgical stress as opposed to anesthesia drugs.

**Dr. Mahmood Tabatabai** Anesthesiologist Philadelphia,, PA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Mahmood Tabatabai Anesthesiologist Philadelphia,, PA

Hi.
Hair loss due to general anesthesia is unusual. There must be other reasons causing hair loss.

Sincerely.

M. Tabatabai, MD, PhD

**Dr. Thomas J. Rick** Anesthesiologist Phoenix, Arizona · Accepted Answer

Dr. Thomas J. Rick Anesthesiologist Phoenix, Arizona

I have never heard of an association of hair loss with general anesthesia.

**Etsuro Kenneth Motoyama** Anesthesiologist Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Accepted Answer

Etsuro Kenneth Motoyama Anesthesiologist Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

It is NOT NORMAL to lose hair after general anesthesia.