Telogen Effluvium
This term defines loss of hair during the Telogen phase, the hair`s resting phase. Usually, you may notice excessive loss when washing and brushing hair. In most cases, hair is also noticeable on clothes, pillows etc. Telogen Effluvium is easy to recognize because Telogen hairs have a white tip (the root end) which is visible to the naked eye.
In Telogen Effluvium hair loss occurs when the follicle ends its resting phase and starts to produce new hair, which pushes out the old telogen hair. This usually happens 3 months after the triggering event. That why sometimes it is difficult for a patient to correlate the hair loss to the cause that is never something just happened.
There are two main types of Telogen Effluvium: Acute Telogen Effluvium and Chronic Telogen Effluvium.
Acute Telogen Effluvium usually results of an acute event that the subject is able to remember precisely and that, as mentioned before, has occurred approximately 3 months before the start of the hair loss. Possible causes are countless and should be researched with a detailed medical history and blood tests.
The most frequent causes of Acute Telogen Effluvium are listed below:
General illnesses
Anemia
High fever
Viral infection
Surgery
General anaesthesia
Acute stress
Postpartum
Interruption of oral contraception
Thyroid disorders
Dental treatments
Weight loss
Anorexia and bulimia
Vitamin D deficiency
Drugs
Antidepressants
Beta-blockers
Cholesterol-lowering drugs
Antivirals
Vitamin A
Anabolic agents
Anticoagulants
Antithyroid drugs
Chronic Telogen Effluvium.
Chronic Telogen Effluvium is a hair condition that occurs primarily in females. Subject experiences excessive hair loss, loss of volume and thinning of the temples. Common complaints among female patients is a much thinner ponytail or reduced volume at the tips of the hair. These women tend to cut their hair frequently in order to create the illusion of fuller hair or resort to wearing hair extensions for a similar effect.