Telogen Effluvium: A Curious Case Mimicking Male Androgenetic Alopecia

    November 2025 in “ International Dermatology ”
    Muhammad S. Iqbal, Muhammad O. MAZHAR, Muhammad O. ASHFAQ, Uzair Irfan, Awais Akhtar
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    TLDR Accurate diagnosis is crucial to distinguish telogen effluvium from male pattern baldness to avoid unnecessary treatments.
    This case report discusses a young man in his early 20s who was initially misdiagnosed with male androgenetic alopecia but was later found to have acute telogen effluvium (TE), a condition characterized by diffuse hair loss often triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or illnesses. The case highlights the clinical similarities between TE and male androgenetic alopecia, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis to prevent unnecessary treatments and their potential side effects. The report calls for clinicians to consider TE in patients with hair loss resembling male androgenetic alopecia, especially when potential triggers are present.
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