Telogen Effluvium is the term that is used when temporary hair loss occurs, usually at the top of the head. Often occurring at the part area of the head, it is not usually characterized by a receding hairline. It happens after an extreme shock, significant stress, or if someone has experienced a very traumatic event.
While the person may experience the loss of a lot of hair during this time, they need not worry - telogen effluvium hair loss is not permanent. It is, in fact, a normal reaction to an extraordinary situation. One of the things to keep in mind is that the condition is actually fully reversible. Let's take a deeper look into telogen effluvium so that you can be fully prepared to handle it, and completely understand what is going on.
What are the Causes of Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen Effluvium can be caused by a number of different situations, including, but not necessarily limited to the following:
- High fevers or severe infections that have caused stress on the body.
- Use of certain medications.
- Autoimmune or thyroid conditions.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Extreme weight loss.
- An unhealthy diet that is lacking in essential nutrients and vitamins.
- Severely stressful situations, such as experiencing the death of a loved one, job loss, prolonged financial difficulties, and other traumatic situations.
Keep in mind that there are many different circumstances in which a person can experience temporary hair loss. When telogen effluvium occurs, the person notices that they are losing significant amounts of hair, up to 70%. This is far more than the typical 100 or so hairs that everyone loses on a daily basis. Determining the cause can help prevent someone from experiencing hair loss due to telogen effluvium in the future.
How Will I know if Telogen Effluvium is the Cause of My Hair Loss?
A doctor can perform tests in order to let you know for certain if you are experiencing telogen effluvium. If you have experienced an extremely stressful situation within the last three months or so, such as the ones described above, and you notice that your hair is thinning or falling out in large quantities, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor. He or she will examine the hair, looking at the root of the hair that has been lost, and possibly perform the following tests:
- A hair pull test, which gives the doctor an idea of how easily the hairs fall out in addition to the number of hairs that are lost.
- Blood test.
- Testing of the thyroid levels.
- Biopsy of the scalp.
If your doctor determines that you do have telogen effluvium, he or she can advise you on a proper course of treatment. This may include medical advice for properly handling the extreme stress that you have been experiencing.
What Else Can I Do?
If telogen effluvium has caused hair loss, remember that you do have options! Most importantly, keep in mind that it does not damage the follicles of the hair, so it is not permanent. At New Image Hair Clinic, we have a wide range of natural looking solutions that can restore your self-confidence and have you looking and feeling your best. Our solutions for women include laser hair therapy, invisistrand extensions, wigs, hair integration, topical thickening and regrowth products and more. For men, we offer gradual hair restoration, hair loss prevention program, biomembrane hair system, laser hair therapy, wigs, and much more.
We at New Image Hair Clinic understand that hair loss is a very sensitive and personal situation. That is why we take the time to listen to your individual concerns and help you determine the best solution for your needs. Our consultations are private and comfortable, and we ensure that every client will be as satisfied as possible. For more information or to set up a free consultation, contact us today.