Telogen effluvium is a temporary type of hair loss caused by physiological stresses such as illness or trauma. It causes significant hair loss for about three months, but hair typically grows back without treatment. A doctor can diagnose and treat underlying conditions that may cause long-term hair loss.
Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that usually results from physiological stresses, such as a severe infection or direct trauma to the body. Its onset is usually acute, meaning that significant amounts of hair begin to fall out at once and the fall can last for about three months. Telogen effluvium is considered a temporary condition and hair stops falling out when the stress on the body is relieved. An individual experiencing sudden hair loss should visit their doctor to check for potential underlying health conditions and receive the appropriate treatment.
Healthy hair goes through a natural cycle of growth and resting phases. The growth phase is called anagen and lasts about three years at a time. Telogen, the resting phase in which some hair is lost, usually lasts about three months. Individual hairs go through phases at different times, so hair loss is usually not significant enough to notice. Telogen effluvium causes a large portion of hair to enter a resting phase all at once, leading to obvious hair loss.
It’s usually not clear exactly what causes a person’s hair to fall out, but doctors have correlated telogen effluvium with stress on the body. Trauma, serious illness, malnutrition, and some medications can lead to telogen effluvium. People who experience sudden hormonal changes, such as are common with pregnancy and glandular disorders such as hypothyroidism, may also start losing their hair. Additionally, some studies show that psychological stress from a traumatic experience or the loss of a loved one can lead to hair loss.
An individual who notices significant hair loss should make an appointment with their doctor to receive a proper diagnosis. In most cases, it’s easy for a doctor to distinguish telogen effluvium from other types of hair loss by carefully examining the hairs that come out with a brush. Telogen hairs are generally drier than growing hairs and have a white residue at the base. Your doctor may decide to do a biopsy of your scalp or do blood tests to look for underlying causes.
Most cases of telogen effluvium last for less than six months and hair begins to grow back without medical treatment. If a person suffers from another condition, however, they may need to take medications or make dietary changes to prevent long-term hair loss. A patient might be prescribed antibiotics, hormone replacements, or nutritional supplements to promote health. With an accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment, most people do not experience recurring telogen effluvium.
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