Telogen Effluvium

Periods of physical or psychological stress can cause your hair to enter into a state of ‘telogen effluvium’. This is a condition that occurs when the normal cycle of hair growth is interrupted, and the scalp follicles enter into a resting stage together. There is abrupt and diffuse hair loss.

Causes

Causes of telogen effluvium can include childbirth, fevers, severe infections, major surgery or illness, prescribed medications, hormones or chemotherapy, psychological stress, and dieting that results in a loss of protein or iron. Conversely, excessive intake of supplements such as Vitamin A can also trigger telogen effluvium.

The condition is temporary and the hair recovers as the resting follicles reactivate. It mainly takes up to eight months for such hair loss to slowly decrease and considering that head hair grows at approximately the rate of half an inch per month, restoring the appearance of the scalp to normality may take even longer.

The signs of telogen effluvium are visible and may be frightening, as hair loss is particularly noticeable especially during shampooing. Shampoo does not cause or exacerbate the condition.

Telogen effluvium affects pigmented hair more than any grey or white hair already present, and as a result more pigmented hair falls out. Chronic telogen effluvium may easily be confused with female pattern hair loss and a correct diagnosis is essential as there are possible treatment options.

Chronic Telogen Effluvium

If you have been diagnosed with chronic telogen effluvium by your Doctor or Dermatologist, you may want to consider the most effective ways to manage this permanent hair loss by using either scalp make up, Medi Connections^™ or a hair replacement prosthesis.

Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss Management Options >>