Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss
An excessive loss of hair in which normal cycle of the hair is altered is known as telogen effluvium. Hair growth depends on three phases which are a regression phase, a growth phase and a resting phase.
Mostly the hairs belong to the growth phase and about 100 hairs fall from the scalp every day. When this condition occurs, the hairs enter the resting phase of the cycle and falling of hairs becomes greater as compared to normal. In this condition one can lose over 300 hairs per day.
Causes
There are number of causes due to which this condition is occurred and they are:-
- Extreme weight loss
- Iron deficiency
- Psychological stress
- Surgery
- Extreme change in diet
- Physical trauma
- Hypothyroidism
- High fever or infection
- Hormonal changes
Symptoms
If one has telogen effluvium then one can notice the hairs on the shower or bathroom floor, pillowcase and hairbrush. The scalp will become less dense. Hair loss will be more than normal.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis can be done which is based on the medical history and a physical examination of the hair and scalp. The person suffering from telogen effluvium should contact the dermatologist for diagnosis.
If the hair loss continues for several months then there will be thin patches on the scalp which can help the doctor to confirm about telogen effluvium. In some cases, a biopsy of the scalp is done.
In this procedure, a small piece of scalp which includes hair follicles is taken out and examined under a microscope. The doctor also performs blood tests to check if one has thyroid abnormality which is the cause for hair loss or not.
Treatment
There is no such treatment for telogen effluvium. The causes of the disorder can be treated. If one has a poor diet or hair loss is due to a new medication then the doctor can suggest some ways to discontinue that medication. The doctor can prescribe some lotion such as minoxidil, Nizoral shampoo and Tricomin Therapy Spray to stimulate the hair growth.
Prevention
Nothing can be done to prevent telogen effluvium but one can eat a balanced diet which provides iron, protein and other essential nutrients. This can prevent the person from hair loss and promotes the hair growth.
Hair Loss
