
Health Crisis in Buldhana, Maharashtra: Sudden Hair and Nail Loss Linked to High Selenium Levels in Wheat
Buldhana, Maharashtra – A strange and alarming health issue has surfaced in several villages of Buldhana district, where residents have been facing severe hair loss, followed by the disturbing development of nail loss.
Between December 2024 and January 2025, around 279 cases of hair loss were reported across 18 villages. Now, in recent days, cases of nail detachment have emerged, adding to the growing panic among the affected population.
Expert Investigation Points to Selenium in Wheat from Punjab and Haryana
The root cause of the crisis has been identified as high levels of selenium found in wheat distributed through government ration shops. This wheat, sourced from Punjab and Haryana, contained selenium levels up to 600 times higher than locally grown wheat. The soil conditions in these regions, which are known for alkaline, saline soils and frequent droughts, naturally result in high selenium content in the wheat.
Buldhana, Maharashtra: Bondgaon Village in Shegaon is witnessing a health scare as residents who earlier reported hair loss are now losing their nails. Locals and the village sarpanch allege government inaction and demand urgent investigation and medical intervention
— IANS (@ians_india) April 17, 2025
A local… pic.twitter.com/UtEZ4iigMc
Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar, a renowned physician and Padma Shri awardee, has confirmed that affected individuals had elevated selenium levels in their blood, urine, and hair, leading to a condition called acute onset alopecia totalis, where individuals lose all their scalp hair within days. The social stigma caused by rapid hair loss has affected education and arranged marriages, with some individuals opting to shave their heads to avoid embarrassment.
Selenium Toxicity and Its Effects on Health
Selenium, while essential in small amounts for metabolism, can cause serious health issues when consumed in excess. In addition to the widespread hair loss, affected individuals have reported severe nail detachment, amplifying fears within the community.
Local Authorities Investigate and Call for Regulation
The wheat in question was not contaminated externally but naturally contained the dangerous selenium levels. Authorities have urged for stricter food quality control and regulation of government rations, particularly in areas dependent on such distributions.
Villagers are calling for urgent government intervention to address the situation, with a swift response needed to prevent further complications.
Dr. Bawaskar has called this a major health crisis, pointing out that many residents of Buldhana have suffered due to this oversight, and the problem has led to an urgent need for effective solutions.
The ongoing investigation by local authorities seeks to identify further measures to regulate food supplies and prevent future health hazards linked to the consumption of selenium-laden wheat.