Telogen effluvium or hair shedding which arises during the telogen or resting phase of hair growth cycle. It is in complete opposition to anagen effluvium where hair shedding happens during the growth stages.
Symptoms
Increased hair loss: You may notice more hair than usual falling out when brushing or combing your hair, finding more hair in the shower drain or on your pillow.
Thinning hair: This is often most noticeable on the scalp, especially at the crown of the head.
Dry, brittle hair: Hair affected by telogen effluvium may become easier to break.
Scalp biopsy is very important because it also shows anagen to telogen ratio and shows how many hairs are in the resting phase and how many are actively growing. In a normal healthy person, about 85% of hair is actively growing and the rest 15% is resting. Due to shock caused by fever, infections or anything else, there can be an increase in hair loss and at its peak, about 70% of hair can turn into the telogen phase. Normally a hair follicle grows as anagen hair for 4 years or more, and then there is a resting phase of 4 months, which is the telogen phase. Telogen effluvium doesn’t cause complete baldness, although it can be a genetic indicator of future balding.
Treatment to Solve Telogen Effluvium
In many cases, telogen effluvium improves on its own without any specific treatment.
Addressing the underlying cause, if possible, can help prevent future hair loss. This might involve stress management techniques, dietary changes to improve nutrient intake, or discontinuing medications that may be contributing to hair loss.
Maintaining a balanced diet rich in protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals can promote healthy hair growth.
In cases of severe hair loss, a dermatologist or hair specialist may recommend medications or other treatments to stimulate hair growth. Hair transplants may be an option for certain types of hair loss, but this is not typically necessary for telogen effluvium.