Diffuse Hair Loss: Its Triggers and Management

The document reviews the diagnosis and management of diffuse hair loss, particularly telogen effluvium, which is characterized by increased shedding of telogen-phase hairs usually 2 to 3 months after a triggering event such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, or medical conditions. It highlights the importance of a thorough patient history and examination, including a hair-pull test and scalp examination, to identify the cause of hair loss. Laboratory tests and possibly a scalp biopsy may be needed to find triggers or rule out other conditions. Management strategies include patient education, removing triggers, ensuring proper nutrition, and treating any underlying scalp inflammation. For chronic cases, treatments like biotin, zinc, and topical minoxidil are recommended, and for androgenetic alopecia, topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for men, and topical minoxidil and spironolactone for women are suggested. Anagen hair loss management focuses on the underlying cause. The document is a review article and does not include a study population.