Telogen Effluvium

The document from March 24, 2016, discussed Telogen Effluvium, a condition causing excessive hair shedding due to a shift in the hair cycle phase. This can be triggered by stress, severe illness, drug-induced hair loss, and post-partum hormonal changes. Five functional alterations in the hair cycle could lead to increased shedding. Acute Telogen Effluvium is diagnosed when more than 25% of hairs are in the telogen phase, and a 60-second timed hair count exceeds 100 hairs. Chronic Telogen Effluvium, lasting longer than six months, can be due to thyroid disorders, iron deficiency anaemia, and malnutrition. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause diffuse hair loss in approximately 50% and 33% of patients, respectively. Profound iron deficiency anaemia can cause diffuse hair loss in about 20% of cases. Drug-induced hair loss usually starts 6–12 weeks after ingestion of treatment. Chronic Telogen Effluvium is common in females between 30 and 50 years of age and is believed to be related to shortening of the anagen phase of the hair cycle. The condition usually resolves spontaneously after 3–4 years. Novel treatments include a leave-on technology combination (CNPDA) and Stemoxydine, a molecule that mimics hypoxic signalling.