Facts about Telogen Effluvium

What is Telogen effluvium?

It is a disorder of the scalp where there is massive hair loss due to entry of hairs into the telogen phase. Metabolic or hormonal stress or even certain medications can lead to such conditions. Ofcourse a person suffering with this condition recovers within six months. You need to know that all hair growth undergrows a growth phase called as anagen and a resting phase known as telogen. Anagen remains approximately for three years whereas telogen for approximately three months. During the period of telogen, the resting hair stays in the follicle unless it is pushed out by new anagen hair. In the case of Telogen effluvium, lots of hair enters telogen at one point of time thereby shedding of hair doesn't take place.

Causes of Telogen effluvium

Acute illness like febrile illness, severe case of infection, major surgery and severe trauma can be the major causes for such condition. Even chronic illness like malignancy, chronic debilitating illness or liver diseases can also lead to this. In some cases this condition could be due to hormonal changes at the time of pregnancy, delivery, hypothyroidism, changes in diet and so on.

Telogen effluvium Symptoms

Lots of hair falls out of the scalp but you will not see any patches of hair loss but generalized thinning of hair.

Treatment

As such there is no particular treatment. Once the period of stress is over, the hair grows normally within a few months. All that you need to take is nutritious diet inclusive of protein, fruits and vegetables.

How to prevent Telogen Effluvium?

Ofcourse there is no particular way to prevent such situation. But you need to take care of your diet by taking in only balanced diet. In the same way, you should avoid sudden emotional shock or stress.

Remember, Telogen effluvium can take place in both men and women of any age group. But it is not so common in infants.