Mumbai: The recent cases of sudden hair loss in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, which gained national attention, have been linked to high selenium levels in wheat sourced from Punjab and Haryana and distributed through local ration shops, according to a medical expert’s report.

Selenium toxicity suspected in acute alopecia cases
Selenium, a naturally occurring mineral essential in small amounts for metabolism, was found in excessive quantities in the affected wheat. Between December 2024 and January 2025, 279 cases of 'acute onset alopecia totalis' were reported across 18 villages in Buldhana, prompting an official probe into the matter.

Many of the affected individuals, including college students and young girls, suffered severe social stigma due to the sudden baldness, leading to disruptions in education and arranged marriages. Some resorted to shaving their scalps to avoid embarrassment.

Medical findings confirm high selenium levels
Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar, MD of Bawaskar Hospital and Research Centre in Raigad, stated that affected individuals—mainly young women—experienced symptoms like headaches, fever, scalp itching, tingling sensations, vomiting, and loose motions.

"Our analysis of wheat from the affected region revealed that it contained 600 times more selenium than locally grown wheat," said Dr Bawaskar, a Padma Shri awardee. "The condition developed rapidly, with total baldness occurring within three to four days of symptom onset."

Examinations of blood, urine, and hair samples showed a 35-fold, 60-fold, and 150-fold increase in selenium levels, respectively. Additionally, significantly lower zinc levels were observed in affected individuals, indicating a potential imbalance caused by excess selenium.

Wheat supply identified as the source of contamination
Further investigations confirmed that the selenium content in the wheat was not due to external contamination but was inherent in the grain itself. Wheat from Punjab and Haryana is known for its high selenium bioavailability.

No major contamination was found in the wheat samples collected from local ration shops. However, Bawaskar’s report noted that poor regulation of government-subsidised wheat quality in the drought-prone region may have contributed to the crisis.

"The region where the outbreak occurred has salty, alkaline soil and recurrent droughts, affecting agricultural productivity. Many families rely on government rations, which lack proper quality control," Bawaskar stated.

Recovery observed after discontinuing selenium-rich wheat
Authorities advised residents to stop consuming the selenium-rich wheat as a preventive measure. Some affected individuals have reported partial hair regrowth within five to six weeks after discontinuation.

Bawaskar emphasised the urgent need for stricter food supply regulations, particularly for government-distributed rations, to prevent similar health crises in the future.

With PTI inputs