Maharashtra District Reports Sudden Hair Loss! Wheat from Punjab-Haryana Under Scrutiny

Maharashtra (The Uttam Hindu): A mysterious outbreak of acute alopecia totalis has been reported in Buldhana district, Maharashtra with 279 people across 18 villages experiencing sudden hair loss between December 2024 and January 2025. According to a report by Padma Shri awardee Dr. Himatrao Bawaskar, the condition has been linked to wheat distributed through government ration shops which contained excessively high levels of selenium. The incident has sparked national attention, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.

The worst affected were college students and young girls whose education and arranged marriages were significantly impacted due to hair loss. Many girls, facing social pressure, shaved their heads to avoid embarrassment. Dr. Bawaskar revealed that affected individuals also showed symptoms such as headache, fever, scalp itching, tingling sensations, vomiting and diarrhea. Investigations found that wheat imported from Punjab and Haryana contained 600 times more selenium than locally grown wheat. Tests further indicated selenium levels in the blood were 35 times higher, urine 60 times higher and hair 150 times higher than normal. Additionally, zinc deficiency was observed in many patients pointing to a nutritional imbalance caused by selenium toxicity.

Concerns have been raised over the quality control of government-supplied rations, as Buldhana is already an agriculturally vulnerable area suffering from saline soil, droughts, and food insecurity. Dr. Bawaskar emphasized the need for strict monitoring and quality checks to prevent similar health crises. Following government recommendations to halt consumption of selenium-rich wheat, some affected individuals have reported partial hair regrowth within 5-6 weeks. Selenium, a mineral essential in small amounts, can cause serious health issues when consumed in excess, making proper food safety regulations crucial.