In Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, a spike in sudden hair loss cases, termed ‘acute onset alopecia totalis’, is linked to high selenium content in wheat from Punjab and Haryana. Medical expert Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar reported 279 affected individuals in 18 villages between December 2024 and January 2025, with symptoms including headaches, scalp itching, and nausea. Investigations revealed the wheat contained 600 times more selenium than local varieties. The outbreak has social implications for many, particularly young women. Authorities have advised against consuming the selenium-rich wheat, leading to reports of partial hair regrowth in some individuals.
Mumbai:
Reports of unexpected hair loss in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, which garnered national attention, are attributed to elevated selenium levels found in wheat sourced from Punjab and Haryana via local ration shops, according to a medical expert’s report.
Selenium is a mineral that occurs naturally in soil, water, and some foods. It is essential in very small quantities for human metabolism.
Between December 2024 and January this year, 279 individuals across 18 villages in Buldhana experienced sudden hair loss, or ‘acute onset alopecia totalis’, prompting an official investigation into the issue.
Many of the affected individuals, particularly young girls and college students, faced serious social challenges, including interrupted education and difficulties with arranged marriages due to their condition.
The social stigma surrounding alopecia led some to shave their heads to avoid feelings of embarrassment.
Upon visiting the impacted areas and gathering samples, Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar, MD of Bawaskar Hospital and Research Centre in Raigad, reported to PTI that individuals, especially young women, exhibited symptoms such as headaches, fever, itching of the scalp, tingling, and in some instances, vomiting and diarrhea.
“The outbreak’s primary cause has been linked to wheat imported from Punjab and Haryana, which was discovered to have significantly elevated selenium levels compared to local wheat,” stated Dr. Bawaskar, who is a Padma Shri awardee.
“Our analysis indicated that the wheat from the affected region contained 600 times more selenium than the locally cultivated variety. This excessive selenium intake is believed to be the origin of the alopecia cases,” he explained.
The condition progressed rapidly, with complete baldness developing within three to four days following the onset of symptoms in these villages, according to the medical expert.
The investigation further revealed substantial increases in selenium concentrations in the blood, urine, and hair of those affected, he noted.
“Samples from blood, urine, and hair demonstrated increases of 35-fold, 60-fold, and 150-fold in selenium levels, respectively. This indicates that high selenium intake is a direct factor in the outbreak,” Dr. Bawaskar remarked.
“Additionally, our research indicated significantly lower zinc levels in the affected individuals, suggesting a possible imbalance due to the excess selenium,” he added.
Further analysis of the wheat revealed that the selenium content was not due to external contamination, but was inherent to the grain itself, as wheat from Punjab and Haryana is recognized for its high selenium bioavailability.
No significant contamination was identified in the wheat samples collected from local ration shops, he confirmed.
“The area where the outbreak took place is characterized by salty, alkaline soil and frequent droughts that have impacted agricultural yield. Many families rely on government-subsidized wheat from ration shops, which have been inadequately monitored for quality,” Dr. Bawaskar reported.
“The wheat delivered to the affected villages was sourced from high selenium concentration regions, exacerbating the health crisis,” he emphasized.
Dr. Bawaskar highlighted that the incident underscores the necessity for more stringent regulations regarding food supplies, especially in regions where residents are reliant on government-assisted rations.
Meanwhile, after authorities advised the community to cease consumption of the selenium-rich wheat as a precaution, some individuals have reported partial hair regrowth within 5-6 weeks.
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