Buldhana hair loss cases: Expert blame high selenium in wheat crop

NEW DELHI: Medical experts have linked cases of sudden hair loss affecting 279 people in Maharashtra's Buldhana district to high selenium content found in wheat supplied through local ration shops from Punjab and Haryana.

The incidents, which occurred between December 2024 and January 2025, primarily affected college students and young girls, causing significant social challenges and prompting authorities to launch an investigation.

The affected individuals experienced symptoms including headache, fever, scalp itching, tingling, and in some cases vomiting and loose motions. Many faced social stigma, leading some to shave their heads to avoid embarrassment.

"The primary cause of the outbreak was linked to wheat imported from Punjab and Haryana, which was found to have a significantly higher selenium content than the locally produced wheat," said Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar, MD of Bawaskar Hospital and Research Centre in Raigad.

"Our analysis of wheat from the affected region revealed that it contained 600 times more selenium than the locally grown variety. This high selenium intake is believed to be the cause of the alopecia cases," Dr Bawaskar explained.

The condition progressed rapidly, with patients experiencing total baldness within three to four days of initial symptoms.

"The blood, urine and hair samples showed a 35-fold, 60-fold and 150-fold increase in selenium content, respectively. This suggests that excessive selenium intake is a direct contributor to the outbreak," Bawaskar said.

"Our team also found that zinc levels were significantly lower in the affected individuals, pointing to a potential imbalance caused by the excess selenium," he added.

The investigation revealed that the high selenium content was naturally present in the grain and not due to external contamination. Selenium, a mineral found in soil, is essential for human metabolism in small quantities.

"The region where the outbreak occurred is known for its salty, alkaline soil and recurrent droughts, which have affected agricultural productivity. Many families rely on government-subsidised wheat from ration shops, which have been poorly regulated for quality," Bawaskar stated in his report.

"The wheat supplied to the affected villages was sourced from the regions with high selenium content, contributing to the health crisis," he noted.

The expert emphasized the need for stronger regulation of food supplies, particularly in areas dependent on government-provided rations.

Authorities have advised residents to stop consuming the selenium-rich wheat. Some affected individuals have reported partial hair regrowth within 5-6 weeks after discontinuing consumption of the contaminated wheat.
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