Telogen Effluvium
Telogen is the name for the resting stage of the hair growth cycle, and is the result of the normal hair growth cycle, and telogen effluvium is the term applied when some type of stress causes the hair roots to go prematurely into the resting state. These hairs all have club-shaped "roots" typical of resting, telogen hairs and may be easily identified under the microscope.
Normally, hairs will grow for a few years, then rest for a few months, shed, and regrow, and it is normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day. However, if there is a severe stress to the body, then about 2 months after the stress as many as 70% of the scalp hairs can be shed in large numbers. This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as the hair coming out in handfuls, is Acute telogen effluvium.
Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic, and hair loss can occur after pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control pills. It may also follow any sudden physical or psychological stress to the body. Usually, telogen effluvium is temporary. It is important to remember that this hair loss may be delayed by up to three months following the change. Up to 8 months will be required for regrowth to be fully achieved.
Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, and crash diets with inadequate protein intake.
There are also a variety of medications that can cause Telogen effluvium including retinoids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and NSAIDS (like ibuprofen). Once the cause for the hair loss is no longer present, the shedding of hair usually slowly decreases over the next 6 to 8 months; so no treatment is needed for most cases of telogen effluvium, but if there is a question about the cause, then you should see a Family Practice or Internal Medicine. or Dermatology specialist to determine if an underlying cause for the problem is still present. |
