TLDR Idiopathic chronic telogen effluvium in women causes sudden hair loss without a known cause, often linked to emotional distress.
The study discussed idiopathic chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) in women, a condition characterized by sudden, diffuse hair loss without an identifiable cause, affecting the entire scalp. It was noted that in about 30% of chronic diffuse hair loss cases lasting at least 6 months, no underlying abnormality was found. The condition was distinguished by increased shedding of telogen hair, with greater hair loss than in androgenetic alopecia, but without miniaturized hairs. Emotional distress was a significant aspect, often complicating diagnosis with psychogenic pseudo effluvium. Scalp dysesthesia was common and linked more to emotional distress than hair loss. Treatment recommendations were based on animal studies and clinical experience, involving L-cystine supplements and corticosteroids, with a call for more research into the molecular basis of hair growth for better therapies.
16 citations
,
February 1999 in “American Journal of Dermatopathology” Lymphocytes may hinder hair stem cells, causing hair loss without scarring.
7 citations
,
January 1998 in “PubMed” Hair loss can cause scalp discomfort.
6 citations
,
December 1997 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” CTE can distort results in hair growth trials, so exclude it carefully.
234 citations
,
December 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Middle-aged women with chronic telogen effluvium experience increased hair shedding but usually don't get significantly thinner hair.
214 citations
,
March 1993 in “Archives of Dermatology” Telogen effluvium is a reversible hair loss condition that requires a detailed diagnosis and often resolves on its own.
83 citations
,
April 1992 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Having enough iron improves the effectiveness of a specific hair loss treatment in women.
124 citations
,
August 1990 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Diffuse alopecia in women may be related to androgens and iron deficiency, and basic hormone and nutrient screening is useful.
666 citations
,
September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.
33 citations
,
September 1961 in “Archives of Dermatology” Colchicine causes rapid hair loss by damaging hair follicles.
3 citations
,
May 2002 in “Therapeutische Umschau” The document concluded that cyproterone acetate and minoxidil are effective for female hair loss, and a supportive doctor-patient relationship is important.
67 citations
,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Chronic Telogen Effluvium may resolve after years and is diagnosed by examining the patient's history and clinical signs, with treatment aimed at underlying causes and possibly minoxidil.
234 citations
,
December 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Middle-aged women with chronic telogen effluvium experience increased hair shedding but usually don't get significantly thinner hair.
40 citations
,
September 2017 in “F1000Research” Oral minoxidil effectively reduces hair shedding in women with CTE, with no major side effects.
137 citations
,
July 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Horizontally sectioned scalp biopsies are more reliable for diagnosing hair loss in women when three samples are taken instead of one.
