Telogen Effluvium
If you are experiencing hair loss, you may be experiencing telogen effluvium, a condition where hair cells cease to grow. It is a relatively common problem and can often be self-limited. Sometimes, a blood test may be necessary to identify the underlying cause. This condition is usually self-limiting, but blood tests may also reveal an underlying condition, such as a mild iron deficiency.
Diagnosis
A physician who specializes in hair disorders can diagnose telogen effluvium with a simple hair pull test or a scalp biopsy. When the hairs come out, they have a bulb-like shape that makes them easy to identify. This type of hair also lacks its normal gelatinous sheath. The condition is diagnosed as telogen effluvium when four or more hairs are removed.
There are many causes of telogen effluvium. There are two main types: acute and chronic. Acute telogen effluvium occurs suddenly and lasts for up to six months. Chronic telogen effluvium, on the other hand, occurs gradually and persists for months or even years. Both conditions affect men and women equally, and the underlying causes are not fully understood.
Treatment
There are two types of telogen effluvium treatment options: acute and chronic. Acute telogen effluvium is a condition that comes on abruptly and may last anywhere from six weeks to several months. Chronic telogen effluvium, on the other hand, can occur slowly and subtly over a longer time. In some cases, chronic telogen effluvium symptoms result from ongoing factors that are difficult to treat. Therefore, a chronic telogen effluvium treatment may not be necessary until the underlying factors are resolved.
Treatments for telogen effluvium typically involve supplements of certain vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy hair growth. Examples of such vitamins and minerals include zinc, iron, and biotin. To supplement these vitamins, you may want to increase your intake of foods high in iron, fish, and eggs. In addition, it would help if you also ate plenty of vegetables and fruits. You can also try to relax by doing activities that make you feel relaxed and less stressed.
Triggers
What are the triggers of Telogen Effluvium? Numerous factors can cause telogen effluvium. Childbirth, severe trauma, illness, or extreme dieting are some of the most common. Women may also develop this condition after pregnancy, severe emotional trauma, or an unexpected accident. Fortunately, most cases are not hereditary. Regardless of the cause, this disorder affects women equally. It is estimated that about one-fifth of new mothers will experience the condition at some point.
Many factors can trigger TE, but none are necessarily the cause of the condition. Certain medications, hormonal changes, or major surgeries are thought to trigger telogen effluvium. Additionally, severe emotional trauma, including losing a loved one, may trigger the disorder. Although these factors are not completely known, they are thought to play a role in causing hair loss in some women. Triggers of TE are often difficult to pinpoint.
Psychosocial impact
The Psychosocial Impact of telogen effluvium is often underestimated. The authors of the study Hadshiew IM, Foitzik K, Arck PC, and Paus R, found that stress may be a primary cause of hair loss and may directly affect the quality of life. Despite this, the study's authors recommend that clinicians ask patients about their perceptions of hair loss. In addition to causing premature catagen deposition, psychoemotional stress can also induce damaging inflammatory events around the hair follicle.
Although there is no one cause of this disease, it is linked to decreased quality of life, social isolation, and low self-esteem. Patients with this disease report feeling low self-esteem and low social acceptance. While the severity of the disease may not affect their quality of life, they appear to require individualized care to manage their disease. For this reason, psychosocial research is important. In addition, the psychosocial impact of telogen effluvium is important when deciding on a treatment plan.
