Questions and Answers for Clinical Insights

In a 1995 article discussing clinical insights into alopecia in children and adolescents, it was noted that 90% to 95% of hair loss cases in this demographic are caused by tinea capitis, trauma (including trichotillomania and traction), alopecia areata, or telogen effluvium. Other less common causes include systemic diseases, severe stress, and certain medications. Understanding the hair growth cycle, which includes the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases, is crucial for evaluating hair loss. The article provided diagnostic clues for different types of alopecia and described a case where the diagnosis was telogen effluvium, a condition with no treatment where hair loss results from the premature cessation of the anagen phase. The prognosis for telogen effluvium is excellent, with hair typically returning to its previous thickness within 6 months. The article concluded with a case follow-up where the patient, Abigail, reported reduced hair shedding and a return to normal hair thickness.