The Hotline For Hairloss!

Telogen Effluvium (TE) is a scalp disorder that results in noticable hair loss that is usally temporary. It is probably the second most common cause of hair loss that affects more woman then men.

Normally 80–90 percent of hair follicles on a healthy human scalp are producing hair, with 10–20 percent in a resting state known as “Telogen.” No hair is produced during Telogen. Effluvium means an “outflow.”

Sudden stress originating from a variety of sources can cause thinning of hair on the whole scalp, most frequently on the top of the head. The hair follicles prematurely stop growing and enter into the resting phase of Telogen, followed by a period of time when a large amount of hair is shed.

Hair follicles cycle through a growth stage that can last two or more years before entering into the resting stage of as much as two months before growing new hair fiber again.

TE is considered to be fully reversible, but the cause should be determined for a more rapid and permanent recovery. Sometimes hair loss continues until the underlying cause is determined and eliminated.

Causes for TE can include high fevers, child birth, severe infections, birth control pills, certain drugs including those used in chemotherapy, psychological or severe emotional stress, under or over active Thyroid gland, diabetes, and improper diet.

Blood tests can determine a dietary iron deficiency, often the result of not eating enough red meat. Vitamin D obtained from sunlight and diet is also considered to be an important factor of maintaining healthy hair follicle growth. However, the most familiar causes of TE are chronic illness and stress.

When there is a shock to the system, up to 70 percent of the scalp hairs can be noticeably shed about two months after a traumatic situation. The condition is considered to be acute TE when the hair comes out in handfuls.

Antidepressants and non steroidal anti inflamatory drugs (NSAIDS), including Ibuprofen as well as beta blockers and inadequte protein can be additional causes of TE.

A diagnosis of TE can be quickly supported because shed hairs have club-shaped roots indicating “resting” Telogen hairs. And these are seen easily under a microscope.

Also, a biopsy utilizing a small piece of skin from the scalp can reveal under the microscope the condition of hair follicles, because this is the tissue that produces the hair.

Telogen Effluvium is noticed most frequently in woman 30-60 years of age with previously thick hair, where eventually, over time the condition usually becomes less pronounced.

Hair loss begins within two to four months after the event that triggered a “shock” to the system, and lasts about six months. New hairs begin growing immediately after the hairs are shed. However, significant growth may not be obvious for several months. In some cases there is not a total regrowth of the shed hairs.

Although Telogen Effluvium can resemble other scalp disorders, diagnosis can result in recovery through understanding and dealing with the cause.

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