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Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss |
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| It is normal to lose
up to about 100 hairs a day in your comb, brush, in the sink
or on the pillow. This is the result of the normal hair growth
cycle. Hairs will grow for a few years, then rest for a few
months, shed and regrow. Telogen is the name for the resting
stage of the hair growth cycle. Telogen effluvium is when some
stress causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting
state. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic. |
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| If there is some "shock
to the system", as many as 70% of the scalp hairs are then
shed in large numbers about 2 months after the "shock".
This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as the
“hair coming out in handfuls,” is acute telogen
effluvium. This is a different problem than gradual genetic
hair thinning. However, this can be seen in the less common
chronic telogen effluvium, only after a significant amount of
hair has already been lost. |
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| considerable number
of different causes for telogen effluvium exist. Among the common
causes are: |
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Surgery |
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Severe infections |
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Severe chronic illness |
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Major physical trauma |
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Major psychological stress |
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High fever or severe infection |
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Extreme weight loss |
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Extreme change in diet and “crash dieting” |
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Abrupt hormonal changes, including those associated
with childbirth and menopause |
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Iron deficiency |
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Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism |
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A new medication – most common medications
include retinoids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers,
antidepressants and NSAIDS (including ibuprofen) |
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| Typically, abrupt diffuse hair loss is noticed several
weeks to several months after the incident has initiated
the biologic program for hair loss. While the most often
noticed hair loss occurs on the scalp, some individuals
may also notice hair loss elsewhere on the body. Significant
hair shedding usually occurs when shampooing, combing,
or even when gently manipulating the hair. Shedding
usually slowly decreases over 6 to 8 months once the
cause for the hair loss is no longer present. As some
of the causes represent ongoing problems, it is important
to determine the likely cause when possible and take
appropriate measures to prevent continued hair loss.
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| These shed or loose
hairs all have club-shaped "roots" typical of resting,
telogen hairs and may be easily identified under the microscope.
After shampooing, the bulk of existing loose hair has often
been shed and loose hair may not again appear until additional
hairs enter this resting phase. When there is any doubt about
the presence of this condition, a small piece of skin may be
taken from the scalp as a biopsy to be examined under the microscope.
In this way, the condition of the hair follicles, the tissues
that produce the hair, may be determined. |
| No treatment is needed
for most cases of telogen effluvium. Remember that the hairs
fall out when a new hair growing beneath it pushes it out. Thus
with this type of hair loss, hair falling out is a sign of hair
regrowth. As the new hair first comes up through the scalp and
pushes out the dead hair a fine fringe of new hair is often
evident along the forehead hairline. |
| The most important issue
in telogen effluvium is to determine if an underlying cause
for the problem is present. Blood tests may need to be done
if the cause is not obvious, such as mild iron deficiency. If
the telogen effluvium is caused by a medication, the medication
needs to be stopped. When the cause of the hair loss is something
like giving birth, a transient illness, or other self-limited
problem the induced telogen effluvium is also usually self-limited
and requires no treatment. |
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| Chronic telogen effluvium
is recently recognized and not uncommon. It often occurs in
men or women who previously had very thick hair in their teens
and twenties and still have an apparently normal head of hair
to a casual observer. It affects the entire scalp with no obvious
cause apparent. It usually affects men and women of 30 to 60
years of age, starts suddenly and has a tendency to fluctuate
for a period of years. Chronic telogen effluvium is sometimes
mistaken for a rarer form of hair loss, alopecia areata, due
to potential similarities in loss patterns with each cause.
The degree of shedding is usually severe in the early stages
and the hair may come out in handfuls. It does not cause complete
baldness and does appear to be self-limiting in the long run.
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| Although not treatment
options, there are some things that have been known to help
slow chronic telogen effluvium loss and sometimes even help
regrow hairs. These include minixodil, natural hair restoration
supplements, biotin-based natural shampoos, conditioners and
scalp treatments. |
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| The only viable and
permanent treatment option for chronic telogen effluvium is
surgical hair transplantation. But it is important to be evaluated
by a qualified hair restoration specialist to determine if you
are a candidate for surgery and if surgery is right for you.
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| Contact us if you or
someone you know may be suffering from telogen effluvium or
any other form of hair thinning or loss. We can answer all your
questions, accurately assess your condition and provide you
with the best possible treatment plan tailored just for you.
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| HCI has helped bring
proportion to the faces of more Asian & Pakistani men and
women than any other practicing physician. So whether you are
suffering from hair thinning, hair line recession or overall
hair loss, give us a call. |
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Best regards,
DR MUHAMMAD NASIR RASHID
PRESIDENT & HAIR TRANSPLANT SURGEON
HAIR CLUB INTERNATIONAL
60 - C MODEL TOWN
LAHORE PAKISTAN
FAX : 92-42-5850712
MOBILE: 0092-300-4122660
EMAIL : hci@wol.net.pk
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Feedback
Is there a topic you would like Dr. Nasir to talk about? Let
us know. Dr. Nasir established this report to help educate and
inform YOU his patients! His passion is helping men and women
to enjoy a fuller and more enriching life that comes with the
confidence of having a full head of hair.
Email us at hci@wol.net.pk
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