Telogen Effluvium (TE) is a non-scarring form of hair loss characterized by excessive hair shedding. Hairs that are in the active growing phase of the hair cycle, are suddenly thrown into the shedding phase. TE is shedding all over the head, not just in one specific area. You'll feel your hair has thinned. You may have clumps of hair come out when in the shower & washing your hair. TE is often referred to as "hair shedding" & "global hair shedding" in the hair industry.
There are 2 types of Telogen Effluvium: 1) Acute TE 2) Chronic TE
Acute TE is hair shedding lasting for less than 6 months. Hair loss typically happens 2-3 months after the trigger.
*Telogen Gravidarum is a variant of Acute TE. It is associated with pregnancy. Shedding normally occurs 2-5 months after childbirth.* Regrowth is seen about 4-6 months after the trigger has been resolved.
Chronic TE is hair shedding that lasts more than 6 months.
Regrowth is seen about 4-6 months after the trigger has been resolved.
Telogen Effluvium is caused by an abnormality in the normal hair cycle, which is triggered by various factors. The big 6 causes are as follows:
1) Medications. Shedding caused by medications starts 12 weeks after starting the medication. Most common TE inducing medications: -Oral contraceptives* -Androgens -Retinoids -A.C.E. inhibitors -Beta blockers -Antidepressants -Anticonvulsants -Anticoagulants Changing the dose of a medication or stopping it all together can trigger Telogen Effluvium. *Oral contraceptives: containing androgenic progestin & hormonal replacement therapy with high dose progesterone can cause TE. Stopping & starting a new brand and/or type will restart the shedding process, pushing your hair regrowth time frame farther out.
2) Physical Stress: Surgery, high fever, chronic systemic illness, & hemorrhage can trigger TE.
3) Emotional Stress
4)Medical Conditions: Medical conditions can trigger TE. Disruption in one's body creates an unbalanced body. Here is a list of common medical conditions that can trigger TE: -Hyper & hypothyroidism: hair regrows once the thyroid is balanced -high fever -sever infections -endocrine disorders -hepatic failure -surgery -chronic infections -inflammatory disorders -Inflammatory bowel disease
5) Diet: TE can be triggered by various dietary styles. Such as: - yo-yo/crash diets -severe protein, fatty acid, zinc, vitamin D, & iron deficiency -chronic starvation -caloric restriction -Bariatric surgery: can decrease levels copper, essential fatty acids, protein, selenium, iron, zinc, &v itamins A, B1, B12, C, E, folate, K. *biotin deficiency is very very rare in first world countries* 6)UV Light: UV & sunlight increases the frequency of TE. This is referred to as the Summer Effect. The increase of hair shedding is seen between July & October. All the summer fun in the sun can lead to hair shedding in the fall.
How do we manage & treat Telogen Effluvium?
Depends on the cause. Honestly, the majority of the triggers of TE need to be rode out. If you just started, changed the dose, or stopped a medication that can cause hair shedding, you are going to have to ride it out. If you have had surgery, sickness with a fever, or any other physical stressor, you will have to ride it out. Do what you need to do to heal & recover. You have to ride out the ride with medical conditions. Emotional stress. Emotional stress is a hard one. If you can lower your emotional stress through counseling, changing jobs, boundaries, etc- then do it. Sometimes life throws us a situation where we are in a constant state of stress. It can be hard to lower this kind of stress. I get it. For me, lowering stress is the hardest.
Diet is something we can change. If you drastically change your diet, you may see more hair shedding. Once you are on the right diet path, your hair will start to grow back in.
Not sure where to start with your diet? I recommend a nutritionist.
That Summer Effect may be hard to handle.
I mean, it is summer. Have fun.
I have scalp treatments that will help you with your Telogen Effluvium as you ride out the ride, lower your stress, change your diet, & help keep your shedding to a minimum.
The bottom line is, take care of yourself.
We only have one of you. Take care of you.
Comments