Worried about Hairfall? Hope it is Telogen Effluvium!
What is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss that occurs when more hairs than normal enter the shedding (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle at the same time. This results in noticeable thinning of the hair, usually on the top of the head.
What Causes Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium can be triggered by:
Severe physiological stress 3-6 months earlier, such as:
- High fever
- Major surgery
- Severe infection
- Significant blood loss
- Hormonal changes like those that occur after pregnancy, discontinuing birth control pills, or starting/stopping hormone replacement therapy
- Very restrictive dieting or anorexia
- Iron deficiency or anemia
- Thyroid disorders
- Medications like blood thinners, antidepressants, and NSAIDs
Signs and Symptoms
The main symptom of telogen effluvium is increased daily hair shedding, often noticed as hair left in the comb, shower, or pillowcase.
The hair thinning is gradual but can become noticeable over 2-3 months. It usually occurs on the top of the head.
Diagnosis
Telogen effluvium is usually diagnosed based on the history of a potential triggering event, pattern of hair loss, and hair pull test results.
Blood tests may be done to check for causes like iron, thyroid or hormone abnormalities.
Prognosis and Outlook
For most people, telogen effluvium is temporary. Without any treatment, hair starts to regrow on its own within 3-6 months as hair follicles return to the normal growth phase.
Identifying and treating any underlying medical condition can help hair regrow faster.
Treatment
Treatments aim to shorten the recovery time and improve hair regrowth. They include:
- Iron supplements if iron deficiency is found
- Thyroid medication for hypothyroidism
- Anti-inflammatory creams or oral medications
- Minoxidil 2% or 5% solution applied to scalp daily
- Low level laser light therapy
- Corticosteroid injections for localized hair loss
- Hair transplant surgery for resistant cases
With proper treatment, most people with telogen effluvium recover within 6-12 months. Recurrence is possible if the triggering factor returns.
Visiting a dermatologist helps formulate the right treatment plan.
Dr. Shashikiran Umakanth (MBBS, MD, FRCP Edin.) is the Professor & Head of Internal Medicine at Dr. TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). While he has contributed to nearly 100 scientific publications in the academic world, he writes on MEDiscuss out of a passion to simplify complex medical science for public awareness.
