Telogen effluvium - a cause of hair loss

Telogen effluvium refers to a form of non-scarring, diffuse hair shedding caused by factors that disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Hair continually cycles through phases of growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and rest (telogen). Normally, only about 10-15% of hairs are in the telogen phase, but in telogen effluvium, up to 50-70% of hairs shift prematurely into telogen, leading to excessive shedding. This hair loss is often temporary if the inciting stressors are removed.

A number of mechanisms can trigger telogen effluvium, essentially shocking more hairs than normal into the rest phase. Physiological stressors include high fever, surgery, childbirth, and rapid weight loss. Emotional stress, nutritional deficiencies, medications, and hormonal fluctuations may also play a role. By identifying and addressing the underlying causes, the hair growth cycle can usually resume its normal patterns, allowing shed hairs to regrow over several months. Supportive treatments like iron and zinc supplementation, stress reduction, and hair-stimulating agents can aid recovery. With prompt intervention, the diffuse thinning of telogen effluvium can often be reversed.