Brittle, flaky, dull? Hair is the mirror of body and soul: if something is wrong, we notice it in its structure.

Hair is our health barometer. If its structure changes, this can be a warning signal from the body. These causes can be behind hair problems:

Dull, brittle hair

If the lush, shiny splendor suddenly becomes brittle and dull, this could be a sign of hypothyroidism. Because if it doesn't produce enough hormones, the hair root is also affected and the hair structure changes. Natural hormonal changes such as pregnancy or the menopause can also significantly alter the hair structure.

Dandruff on the scalp

This can be a sign of stress, as the stress hormone cortisol slows down blood circulation in the hair root. Skin fungi have a good chance of multiplying excessively and causing dandruff. Frequent hair washing with aggressive shampoos and hot blow-drying can also lead to dandruff. If the problem cannot be solved with a special shampoo, there may be a skin disease behind it. In this case, it is better to see a doctor.

Oily hair

This indicates a low oestrogen level. Oestrogen inhibits sebum production - which is why you often have particularly oily hair shortly before your period. Special shampoos can help against this. If your hair is extremely greasy, experts advise you not to wash it every day - it may be unpleasant, but sebum production will then slowly decrease.

Prematurely greying hair

Acidosis of the body is almost always to blame when the first gray hairs appear very early. However, hyperthyroidism can also be the cause - you should definitely see a doctor.

Hair loss

Hair loss can be a warning sign of a form of diabetes that is associated with an excess of androgens. This means that the body produces too many male hormones. Diffuse hair loss can be caused by iron deficiency, poor nutrition or fungal infections. It is still not clear how circular hair loss occurs. A doctor can also help here.