Maharashtra Health Scare: After Hair Loss, Villagers in Buldhana Now Losing Nails

Experts link issue to high selenium levels in ration wheat

Buldhana, Maharashtra – A strange and alarming health issue has gripped several villages in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, where residents who reported sudden hair loss over the past few months are now experiencing nail loss.

According to locals, the problem began around December 2024 with an unusual surge in hair fall cases. “The issue started around the end of December when hair fall cases began. And now, for the past four to five days, people have started losing their nails as well,” said one villager. Another resident urged the government to step in and provide assistance.

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

A local… pic.twitter.com/UtEZ4iigMc

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Expert Investigation Points to Selenium

The phenomenon has drawn the attention of experts, including renowned physician and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar, who linked the condition to unusually high levels of selenium found in wheat distributed through government ration shops. The wheat, reportedly sourced from Punjab and Haryana, contained selenium levels up to 600 times higher than that found in locally grown varieties.

Dr. Bawaskar confirmed that affected individuals had elevated selenium levels in their blood, urine, and hair. “This has caused acute onset alopecia totalis – a condition where people lose all scalp hair within days,” he said. The rapid hair loss led to social stigma, disrupted education, and complications in arranged marriages, forcing some to shave their heads to avoid embarrassment.

279 Cases Reported Across 18 Villages

Between December 2024 and January 2025, at least 279 cases of severe hair loss were reported across 18 villages in Buldhana. Now, with cases of nail detachment emerging, panic has spread among residents.

Selenium is an essential mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. While small amounts are beneficial for metabolism, excessive intake can lead to serious health problems.

Call for Regulatory Action

Tests indicated that the wheat was not contaminated externally, but naturally contained high selenium due to the soil conditions in wheat-growing regions of Punjab and Haryana—areas known for alkaline, saline soils and frequent droughts.

Experts are now calling for stricter quality checks and regulation of food supplies, especially in regions heavily dependent on government rations.

Local authorities have launched an investigation, and villagers are urging swift government intervention to address the crisis.