Hair Falling Out Overnight? The Startling Truth Behind the Buldhana Crisis
A study has identified high selenium levels in wheat supplied from Punjab and Haryana as the cause of sudden hair loss in 279 people in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district. The wheat, distributed through government ration shops, contained 600 times more selenium than locally grown varieties.
The affected individuals, mostly college students and young girls, reported symptoms such as headaches, fever, scalp itching, tingling, vomiting, and loose motions. Many experienced total baldness within days, leading to social stigma, with some even shaving their heads.
Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar from Bawaskar Hospital and Research Centre in Raigad led the investigation. Tests on affected individuals showed a sharp rise in selenium levels in blood, urine, and hair samples, along with low zinc levels, indicating a mineral imbalance.
Authorities confirmed that the high selenium content in wheat was naturally present in the soil of the growing regions, rather than due to contamination. The affected areas rely on government-supplied wheat, which has poor quality checks.
Following the findings, officials halted wheat distribution in Buldhana and advised residents to stop consuming the contaminated stock. Some affected individuals have reported partial hair regrowth after avoiding the wheat for several weeks. Experts are now calling for stricter food safety regulations to prevent such health risks.
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