Telogen Effluvium: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Telogen Effluvium (TE) is a widespread noninflammatory hair loss condition, marked by a diffuse shedding of telogen hairs due to disruptions in the hair cycle. The document describes TE as either acute, lasting less than 6 months, or chronic, persisting beyond 6 months. Acute TE typically starts 2-3 months after a trigger, which remains unidentified in about 33% of cases, while chronic TE is more prevalent in healthy women between their 40s and 50s. The etiology of TE includes stress, illness, nutritional deficiencies, and drugs, with diagnosis based on patient history, physical examination, and the hair pull test. Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause and patient education about the disease's natural progression. Iron supplementation is recommended for those with low serum ferritin levels, but the effectiveness of this treatment is not well-studied. The document notes that while acute TE generally resolves on its own, chronic TE requires a thorough investigation to exclude other hair loss causes, emphasizing the need for patient education and addressing the psychological effects of hair loss.