Guide to Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Although a person’s hair may fall a lot, this is usually only temporary, and the hair will eventually regrow. Temporary hair loss, also known as TE telogen effluvium, typically follows stress, shock, or a traumatic experience. It commonly appears on the top of the scalp. Alopecia areata, a condition that causes accelerated hair loss, is distinct from telogen effluvium.

Also Read : Hair Follicles 101: Meaning, Cycle, & Growth Of A Hair Follicle

Telogen Effluvium : Definition

If a person often goes through hair-loss episodes that last more than six months, they are said to have chronic telogen effluvium. In most cases, telogen effluvium is reversible. Though it may appear extremely thin, a person with this illness does not completely lose all of their hair.

A hair loss known as telogen effluvium is characterized by hair thinning or an increase in hair loss. It more frequently affects women and is typically brought on by a disruption in the hair cycle.

Typically, the hair cycle comprises three stages:

• The growing phase, or anagen.
• Transitional or catagen phase.
• Telogen, or the dormant state.

The telogen phase is connected to telogen effluvium. At any given time, 5 to 10 percent of a person’s hair is typically in the telogen phase. Telogen effluvium makes the anagen phase slow down, which results in fewer hairs entering the following two phases. Almost 30% of the hair follicles affected by TE enter the telogen phase, which results in hair shedding.

Also Read : Unraveling The Phases Of Hair Growth And Disruption Of Hair Growth Cycle

What are the Symptoms of Telogen Effluvium

The first sign of TE is balding on the scalp. One could only find this thinned skin in one spot or everywhere. If it does thin in several places, you might discover that some regions are more severely impacted than others.

The top of the scalp is most frequently affected. Your hairline will hardly ever recede as a result of TE. Additionally, it isn’t very certain that you’ll lose all of your hair. Other body parts, such as the pubic area and eyebrows, may also experience hair loss when TE is severe

What are the Causes of Telogen Effluvium?

A variety of factors can bring on TE hair loss causes. These consist of:

• Environment
TE may be brought on by physical trauma, such as being in a vehicle accident, losing blood, or undergoing surgery. This issue may also be brought on by exposure to poisons such as heavy metals. It is due to your hair follicles entering a resting condition due to the “shock” of the environmental change. Hair follicles do not often grow as they would when they are resting.

Even though this kind of TE can happen quickly, you probably won’t see any thinning until one or two months have passed. If the situation calms, your hair can rapidly return to its normal state. Typically, this kind of TE resolves in less than six months. Within a year, your hair will normally go back to normal.


• Hormones
An abrupt shift in hormone levels can result in TE hair loss. Hormone fluctuations can induce hair follicles to enter a protracted resting state, much like an environmental change might. Hair growth typically resumes six months to a year postpartum if TE occurs during pregnancy.


• Prescription Drugs or Medical Care
Some antidepressants and other drugs, including oral contraceptives and antihypertensives, can result in hair loss. It could be beneficial to talk to your doctor if you started taking a new prescription before you noticed hair loss. They can gauge your symptoms and make a pharmaceutical recommendation. After some procedures or immunizations, your body may experience a shock, sending your hair follicles to rest. Within a few months, hair growth usually resumes its original pattern.

Also Read : Understanding The Medical Conditions That Cause Hair Loss


• Diet
Some researchers say a vitamin or nutritional shortage could cause hair loss. According to theories, the following may be deficient, affecting hair growth: Vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and iron Because it has been linked to TE, you should avoid crash dieting. Consult your doctor or dietitian if vitamin supplements are your main source of these nutrients. They can assist you in creating a nutritious diet.


• Symptom of another illness
Hair loss is another side effect of allergic contact dermatitis to hair colours. Hair loss may be a sign of another illness. For instance, the autoimmune disease alopecia areata causes complete hair loss. Thyroid issues and hormone swings can also bring on hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium Treatment

Lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are also possible TE treatments. The best action is to identify the cause, whether it be your environment, hormones, or way of life.

• Concentrate on Nutrition and Diet
Some vital vitamins and nutrients that are crucial for healthy hair may be lacking in you. Request a level check from your physician to determine your vitamin D, zinc, and iron intake. It would help to consume a balanced diet to get all the required nutrients.
• Watch out for your Hair Care.
It’s crucial to be delicate when styling your hair if you have TE. Refrain from blow-drying, straightening, or curling your hair until your condition improves. During this time, frequent colouring or highlighting might harm your hair and prevent it from growing.
• Ask for Professional Help
If nothing works out, it is best to seek medical help for hair loss treatment and let the professional take care of it. A professional can find the root cause and suggest a suitable action. Be it lifestyle changes and medication or hair restoration treatments.
• Relax
Reducing your stress levels may also be helpful if stress is a contributing factor to your hair loss. To manage your stress, you might choose to start journaling or practising mindful meditation. Yoga and other forms of physical activity may help you relax and provide a healthy approach to handling stress.

Also Read : Hair Restoration Growth Timeline: What To Expect

How to Diagnose?

A hair doctor will inspect the lost hair to diagnose telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium can be identified using several assays, including:

• A hair doctor can identify this issue and distinguish it from alopecia based on the width and length of the lost hair.
• A hair pull test may determine how much hair is shed.
• The number of hairs shed can count washing during a wash test.
• Determination of the cause of hair loss, a blood test may be helpful. These tests can be used to diagnose thyroid or iron deficiency disorders.
• Telogen effluvium might be diagnosed and treated by a professional.
• Other signs of healthy hair will also be examined, like how the scalp looks, bald spots, or more widespread hair thinning.

Also Read : Reasons Why You Need Hair Specialist Doctor For Hair Loss

Book an Appointment with a Hair Specialist Doctor

Please book an appointment today with an AHS hair expert before it’s too late to retrieve the hair. AHS offers a seamless process from an advanced hair check to the actual restoration treatment and helps you regain confidence.

FAQ

1. How long does Telogen Effluvium last?
The most common reason behind diffuse non-scarring alopecia is TE. It is distinguished by a sudden beginning of generalized hair loss, typically occurring 2–3 months following a triggering event. In contrast to chronic telogen effluvium symptoms, which last longer than six months, it often self-limits after six months.


2. Does hair loss from Telogen Effluvium grow back?
Hair Regrowth after the underlying problem has been addressed, and it is typical for hair to regrow in 3 to 6 months with telogen effluvium. Most of the time, just about half of the hair is gone. The rate of shedding can occasionally decrease, although it seldom stops completely.


3. What is the best treatment for Telogen Effluvium?
The best treatment for TE can only be suggested by a professional who will analyze the problem and suggest a suitable treatment. Visit the AHS clinic today to get your TE treated.


4. What triggers Telogen Effluvium?
When physiological stress causes a significant number of hairs in the anagen phase of the hair cycle to enter the resting phase abruptly, this condition is known as telogen effluvium (telogen).


5. Is there any difference between Telogen and Anagen Effluvium?
Hair loss through the anagen, or growth, stage of the hair cycle is referred to as anagen effluvium. It is in contrast to telogen effluvium, which develops during the telogen, or resting stage, of the hair cycle and results in hair shedding.