Hair Loss Outbreak in Buldhana: The Hidden Danger in Your Wheat

Mumbai: A mysterious hair loss outbreak in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district has been linked to wheat containing extremely high selenium levels, a report by Padma Shri awardee Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar has confirmed. The contaminated wheat came from Punjab and Haryana and was distributed through ration shops in the area. The outbreak affected 279 people in 18 villages between December 2024 and January 2025.

Who Was Affected and How?

Most of the victims were young women, college students, and teenagers. They noticed symptoms like headache, fever, scalp itching, tingling, vomiting, and loose motions before their hair started falling out rapidly. Within just three to four days, many had lost all their hair, leading to psychological distress and social stigma.

Some women even shaved their heads to avoid the embarrassment of patchy baldness. Many college students stopped attending classes, and arranged marriages were called off due to their condition.

Dr. Bawaskar, MD of Bawaskar Hospital and Research Centre in Raigad, said, “After reaching the affected areas and collecting samples, we found that the primary cause of the outbreak was wheat imported from Punjab and Haryana, which had much higher selenium content than locally produced wheat.”

What Did the Tests Reveal?

Scientists and doctors tested blood, urine, and hair samples from affected individuals and found alarming levels of selenium:

• The wheat contained 600 times more selenium than local wheat.
• Blood selenium levels were 35 times higher than normal.
• Urine selenium levels were 60 times higher than normal.
• Hair selenium levels were 150 times above the safe limit.

Dr. Bawaskar explained, “Our team also found that zinc levels were very low in the affected people, which may have worsened the problem caused by too much selenium.”

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Why Was the Wheat Dangerous?

• The selenium was not due to contamination but was naturally present in the wheat grown in Punjab and Haryana.
• These areas have high selenium bioavailability, meaning their crops absorb more selenium from the soil.
• The ration shops in Buldhana unknowingly distributed this wheat, leading to mass hair loss cases.

What Is the Government Doing?

After experts confirmed the cause, authorities told people to stop eating the wheat. Some affected individuals have reported partial hair regrowth within 5-6 weeks after stopping consumption.

Dr. Bawaskar stressed the need for better food quality checks, especially in areas where people depend on government rations.

What Is Selenium?

• Selenium is a mineral found in soil, water, and some foods.
• The human body needs only a small amount of selenium for metabolism.
• Too much selenium can cause hair loss, nausea, weakness, and other health problems.

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What Should People Do Now?

• Avoid wheat from unknown sources and rely on locally grown wheat if possible.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in zinc to help reduce the effects of excess selenium.
• People experiencing hair loss or other symptoms should consult a doctor immediately.

Authorities Take Action, Hair Regrowth Reported

Authorities advised residents to stop consuming the wheat, leading to partial hair regrowth in some individuals within 5-6 weeks. Experts called for stricter quality regulations on government food supplies to prevent future health crises.

Authorities are continuing their investigation and are expected to set new food safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.