Effluvium

If you suffer from telogen effluvium, you're probably wondering what the symptoms are, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it. This information is designed to give you an overview of this condition. You can also read a leaflet about telogen effluvium treatment. This leaflet provides more detailed information on telogen effluvium, including how to recognize the condition and treat it.

Symptoms

The symptom of hair loss that you might experience is called telogen effluvium. This condition occurs when your body experiences a physical shock, and your hair follicles enter a resting phase instead of an active growth stage. You may notice thinning hair and even bald patches. You might also notice that you're losing hair when brushing your hair or finding hair on your pillowcase.

In some cases, emotional distress can exacerbate the condition. Fortunately, in 95 per cent of cases, telogen effluvium goes away on its own. Proper nutrition and stress management can help prevent or relieve the symptoms. However, you should not delay seeking treatment if you are experiencing significant hair loss. You should also be aware that several treatments for telogen effluvium are available.

Diagnosis

Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by excessive shedding of hair. It most often affects middle-aged women and is caused by abnormalities in the hair-growth cycle. Many causes of telogen effluvium are unclear. Physical, psychological, and chemical factors may contribute to the condition. This article explains how to diagnose effluvium. A proper diagnosis is critical.

Diagnosis of telogen effluvium may be based on history and physical exam, but laboratory studies are limited. Among the most useful tests to confirm effluvium is a scalp biopsy. A scalp biopsy can reveal numerous telogen hairs that lack a gelatinous sheath. This test is highly reliable. For patients with a history of telogen effluvium, the patient may be treated with hair loss medication.

Treatment

The first thing to know is that Telogen Effluvium usually develops 1-3 months after a stressful event. This condition usually occurs in women and is often the result of pregnancy or childbirth. Other common causes include a serious illness, an accident, or surgery. If this condition is severe, you may need to undergo chemotherapy. Treatment of effluvium includes changing your lifestyle to prevent further deterioration of your telogen tissues.

There are various causes of telogen effluvium. Typically, the condition is triggered by trauma, such as a serious surgery or a high fever. In rare cases, it may also be caused by an underlying illness such as thyroid failure, a hormone imbalance, or kidney failure. Regardless of the cause, you should seek medical treatment for a cure. Treatment may be needed if your condition is due to a genetic predisposition or an underlying condition.