Are you suddenly losing a lot of hair? Let's talk about Telogen Effluvium!

Have you ever felt like your hair is suddenly starting to fall out? You probably feel scared and sad when you see piles of hair on your comb, bathroom floor, or pillow, right? Today we are going to talk about one possible cause of this. This is called `(Telogen Effluvium)`. Let's see what it is, why it happens, and what we can do about it.

Let's first understand how hair grows and falls out.

Simply put, our hair has a natural cycle of growth and shedding. There are three main stages to this:

1. Anagen: This is the most active phase of your hair growth cycle. The cells at the base of a hair follicle are dividing rapidly. As a new hair follicle grows, it pushes up on top of the old one, making your hair grow longer. A single hair follicle can grow for about four years in this Anagen phase. At any given time, about 80% to 90% of the hair on your head is in this phase.

2. Catagen: This is a short, transitional phase . The hair follicle shrinks and stops growing. Usually, about 5% of the hair is in this phase.

3. Resting and shedding phase `(Telogen)`: This is the resting phase of the hair growth cycle. The hair follicle is inactive. The hair follicle has a white bulb-like part made of `(Keratin)`, also called `(club hair)`. This `(Keratin)` bulb keeps the hair follicle attached to the root until it falls out. After the hair follicle falls out, the hair growth cycle begins again. Usually, about 5% of the hair is in this phase.

So what is this (Telogen Effluvium)?

Now, in this condition called `(Telogen Effluvium)`, due to some pressure on your body, that is, a physical or mental impact `(stressor),` many hairs that are in the growth phase `(Anagen)` are pushed into the shedding phase `(Telogen)` prematurely. Imagine, normally between 80% and 90% of the hairs should be in `(Anagen). But in this case, suddenly about 70% of the hairs go into `(Telogen) .` So that's when a lot of hair starts to fall out.

What is the difference between (Acute) and (Chronic) Telogen Effluvium?

There are two main types of Telogen Effluvium:

• Acute telogen effluvium: This lasts less than six months . It usually starts two to three months after you have experienced some stress or illness. But the good news is that in 95% of cases, it gets better on its own .
• Chronic telogen effluvium: This can last for more than six months . It affects the entire scalp, and sometimes there is no clear cause. In the early stages, hair loss may occur, but complete baldness does not occur.

Who is most affected by this condition? How common is it?

This can happen to anyone , but women between the ages of 30 and 60 are especially likely to develop this condition (Chronic telogen effluvium) for no apparent reason.

This is often the main reason for sudden hair loss. It can also be said to be the most common cause of hair loss among women .

How does Telogen Effluvium affect your body?

A healthy person sheds about 100 hairs a day. That's normal. But if you have `(Telogen Effluvium)`, you can shed up to 300 hairs a day . Imagine how much that is!

This usually affects the top of your head, rather than the back or sides of your head. Your hairline is usually not affected, and you don't go bald. However, in severe cases, your eyebrows and other body hair can also be lost. Sometimes this thinning hair can look like male- or female-pattern hair loss. But there's a difference. In Telogen Effluvium, hair falls out very quickly. In other cases, hair thins slowly.

Although it may not have a major physical impact, it can have a significant psychological impact. It can affect how people view society (psychosocially) and how they think about themselves (psychologically). Some people may even experience mental stress , anxiety , and depression .

What are the symptoms of Telogen Effluvium?

So what are the symptoms? See if you have these things:

• When you comb your hair, you may notice that there is more hair than usual on the comb, the bathroom floor, or even on the pillow.
• The hair on your head may feel thin .
• The hair becomes dry and falls out easily when touched.

But the most important thing is that your scalp should be healthy. That means there shouldn't be any rash, itching, inflammation, pain, or peeling. If there is, it could be a different condition.

What are the triggers for Telogen Effluvium?

What could be causing this? See if any of these have happened to you recently:

• If you develop a high fever.
• After having a baby, ``(Childbirth)``. This is something that many mothers experience.
• If severe infections occur.
• If there is severe psychological stress . Think about things like an exam, problems at work, family problems, the loss of someone close to you.
• If you have major surgery .
• Increased activity of the thyroid gland (Hyperthyroidism).
• Decreased function of the thyroid gland (Hypothyroidism).
• When you stop taking birth control pills .
• Fad diets, which are low in protein and are done all at once .
• Certain medications . For example, `(Retinoids)` (some medications for acne), `(Beta-blockers)` (used for high blood pressure), `(Calcium channel blockers)` (used for heart disease), some medications for depression, and `(Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs))` (painkillers).

Is this a contagious disease?

No, Telogen Effluvium is not contagious. You cannot spread it to others.

How to recognize Telogen Effluvium?

This is usually easy to identify. A doctor can confirm this by examining your scalp. Your doctor may do a "pull test." This involves pulling about 40 to 60 hairs at a time. Normally, only two or three hairs should fall out. However, in someone with Telogen Effluvium, at least four or six hairs may fall out, along with a white bulb at the end (club hair).

The doctor will also ask about your diet and recent medical conditions. Perhaps a dietary problem or a stress or illness that occurred about three months before the hair loss started can be identified. In most cases, a person with ``Telogen Effluvium'' has completely recovered from that stress or illness, so there is no connection between it and the hair loss.

Will further tests be needed?

Most of the time, your doctor can diagnose this without any special tests. However, if there is a suspicion that it is caused by a medical condition (e.g., thyroid problems, iron deficiency), he or she may order blood tests or a scalp biopsy.

What are the treatments for Telogen Effluvium?

The main reason for this is stress on the body, so the most important thing is to find out what the cause is . Once that cause is addressed, most of the time, this `(Telogen Effluvium)` condition will improve without treatment in about six to eight months.

However, there are also common treatments for this:

• Medications: Over-the-counter medications such as Minoxidil (Rogaine®) can stimulate hair growth. However, Minoxidil can cause side effects in some people, including headaches, scalp irritation, and abnormal hair growth. You should not use Minoxidil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Multivitamins or supplements: Multivitamins or iron supplements that contain iron can help with hair growth. Biotin supplements can also help with strong, healthy hair.
• Hair styling methods: Some hair styles, wigs, or hair weaves can be used to hide some of the hair loss.

How long will Telogen Effluvium last? Will my hair grow back?

Telogen Effluvium usually lasts about three to six months .

Yes, your hair will definitely grow back! This is the best news. After the three to six months of hair loss are over, you will be able to see new hair growing in the affected areas. You just have to be patient.

How to reduce the risk of Telogen Effluvium?

There are things we can do to keep our hair healthy and help it grow. Check these out:

• Eat more protein , especially if you are vegetarian or vegan. You need between 40 and 60 grams of protein per day. The fruits, vegetables, and protein found in the Mediterranean diet can help reduce hair loss.
• Take vitamins . Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc, biotin, and iron help maintain healthy hair, skin, and muscles. But always check with your doctor before taking any new supplements.
• Find ways to cope with stress . This is a major cause of Telogen Effluvium. Things like meditation, yoga, engaging in a hobby, and talking to a friend can help.
• Get enough sleep . An adult needs an average of seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Good sleep also reduces stress.
• Avoid restrictive diets that cause sudden weight loss . Sudden weight loss can lead to Telogen Effluvium. Restrictive diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies and hair loss. If you want to lose weight, it is best to follow a Mediterranean-style diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, along with regular exercise.

What can someone with Telogen Effluvium expect?

Telogen Effluvium can be a really frustrating condition. You may be afraid that you will lose all your hair. However, if you have Telogen Effluvium, there is nothing to worry about, the results are good . It usually gets better within three to six months of the hair loss. Your doctor can also guide you on steps to take to help new hair grow.

What is the difference between (Telogen Effluvium) and (Androgenic Alopecia)?

Although both of these are hair loss conditions, there are differences:

• Telogen Effluvium: This is a condition where hair falls out rapidly over a short period of time . It usually occurs after a few months of physical or emotional stress on your body. It can also be caused by sudden hormonal changes. Telogen Effluvium is usually temporary , and hair grows back without treatment once the stress is gone.
• Androgenic alopecia: This is the same as male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness . This is a slower-growing form of hair loss than Telogen Effluvium. The exact cause is not yet known, but there may be genetic factors. Without medication or treatment, Androgenic alopecia is a permanent condition that causes hair loss.

So, what are the things we should remember from this story?

Telogen Effluvium is a common condition that can cause temporary hair loss anywhere on the body, but it most commonly affects the scalp. It is usually caused by stress or changes in the body. It can be very challenging mentally, and you may even fear that you are going bald. But the most important thing to remember is that your hair will grow back over time .

As soon as you notice that you are losing your hair, especially if it is causing you additional stress, see a doctor as soon as possible . That way, the exact cause can be determined and treatment can be started if necessary.

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