Telogen Effluvium – Symptoms and Treatments
Getting a Telogen Effluvium is a very serious condition that can have a major impact on your life. It’s a condition that affects your brain and your body, and there are many symptoms and treatments for it.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Telogen Effluvium may include itching, a “crawling” sensation under the scalp, and a sudden increase in hair loss. This condition is not permanent and is usually treated by a dermatologist. Several medications, some surgical operations, and high fevers are known to trigger telogen effluvium.
Some common triggering factors are stress, autoimmune disorders, and severe illness. However, some other conditions, such as a thyroid disorder, can also trigger telogen effluvium. There are other causes of TE, including exposure to heavy metals or toxins, and other medical conditions.
Telogen Effluvium can cause noticeable thinning of hair while brushing or bathing. The condition can also affect the eyebrows and other parts of the scalp.
There are two types of TE: acute and chronic. Acute TE is caused by a sudden change in environmental or dietary conditions, while chronic TE occurs due to a biological cause.
The symptoms of both acute and chronic TE are similar, with the exception that a person may have a more prolonged shedding period, and the condition may occur at the same time as female pattern baldness. People with chronic TE can be diagnosed by an enzyme test, a thyroid analysis, and a blood test.
The most common triggering factors are stress, a severe illness, or a surgical operation. Other conditions can trigger telogen effluvium, but the symptoms are often asymptomatic.
In a normal healthy scalp, about five to 10 percent of the hair will be in the telogen phase. A person typically loses about 100 hairs per day. In telogen effluvium, the follicles of the scalp are shortened in the anagen phase, causing more hair to fall out than usual.
The first symptom of TE is balding on the scalp. Depending on the person, TE can occur in different locations on the head. It may also occur on the neck or in other areas of the body.
Treatments for TE are effective, and the condition is not permanent. A dermatologist can discuss treatment options and show you ways to help your hair re-grow faster. In addition, a good night’s sleep can reduce stress. Adding vitamins can help maintain healthy hair and muscle tissue.
Causes
Generally, the causes of telogen effluvium include nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, physical trauma, or major illness. Some people also have autoimmune disorders, which can trigger TE. If you are suffering from a chronic illness, consult a physician.
In most cases, TE goes away by itself. If your doctor isn’t sure, he or she will probably do a skin biopsy or hair pull test. You may be prescribed topical corticosteroids to reduce the symptoms of TE. You might also need to have your thyroid tested. These tests can help you to determine the cause of TE.
There are two types of TE. One is characterized by intense hair shedding and the other is more gradual. Both are caused by changes in the hair cycle. The difference is that the former is usually caused by a sudden change in hormone levels. The former is more common in women, while the latter is more common in men.
The shedding of hair is the most obvious symptom of TE. This condition is caused by an abrupt shift from the Anagen phase to the Telogen phase. This occurs in about four months. Once the follicles enter the Telogen phase, the follicles start to extrude the hairs out of the follicles. This process can be attributed to damage to the cuticle and cortex of the hair.
Some drugs, such as antihypertensives, can cause TE. Other drugs, such as antidepressants, can interfere with hormone levels. In addition, ACE inhibitors, which are used to manage high blood pressure, can cause TE. In some cases, exposure to sunlight can trigger TE.
Other causes of TE are severe illness or infection, which can be triggered by a high fever. A significant physical stressor, such as a hemorrhage, can also trigger TE.
Medications, including oral contraceptives and anticonvulsants, can cause TE. It is also caused by exposure to certain toxins, such as ultraviolet light. There are also some medical conditions, such as low iron levels, that can cause TE.
TE can also be triggered by chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The condition can also be triggered by chronic kidney or liver failure. There are also cases of TE caused by autoimmune disorders, such as psoriasis.
Treatments
Several different treatments for Telogen Effluvium are available. These treatments are determined by the severity and the underlying cause of the condition.
There are two main types of telogen effluvium. The first is acute, which is characterized by an abrupt onset of shedding. The other is chronic, which occurs for a longer period of time.
Both types of telogen effluvium can occur in both sexes. However, females tend to experience it more often than men. Acute telogen effluvium usually lasts for a few months and is then remitted.
The condition is not permanent but can lead to noticeable thinning hair. If you’re experiencing telogen effluvium, it’s important to find a salon that offers treatment for this condition. You should also avoid any harsh hair-styling tools and products. Use a shampoo and conditioner that’s gentle on your scalp.
The most common treatment for telogen effluvium is to wait for the hair to regrow. You can also use medications that can encourage hair regrowth, such as minoxidil. Some people also opt to have a scalp biopsy performed to confirm the diagnosis.
A scalp biopsy can detect if a person has a condition that is causing a sudden surge of shedding. A doctor will also review your medical history, including any major stress or illness you’ve experienced. Various other tests may be done, such as bloodwork to check for iron deficiency or thyroid problems.
The best way to treat telogen effluvium is by addressing the underlying cause. This may involve diet and lifestyle changes, as well as medical treatments or medications. If you have chronic telogen effluvium, you can try oral minoxidil, which is approved by the FDA for treating this condition.
If you’re concerned about the health of your hair, you should visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to diagnose and treat the condition. They’ll also help you prevent any complications. Some of the most common reasons for visits to a dermatologist are hair loss.
A scalp biopsy can be a useful tool to confirm the diagnosis of telogen effluvium. It’s not always necessary to perform the test, though.
Psychosocial impact
Various factors have been implicated in the induction of telogen effluvium. These include stress, medical conditions, and physiologic factors. Nevertheless, the relationship between stress and telogen effluvium has been elusive in humans. However, studies in mice have substantiated the common belief that stress inhibits hair growth.
The effects of stress on the follicle are mediated through a series of events, including intrafollicular apoptosis, premature catagen development, and inflammatory reactions around the hair follicle. In addition to the onset of hair loss, the psychosocial impact of telogen effluvium can be serious. Affected individuals can be distressed by their hair loss, and their emotional state may affect their daily functioning.
Although clinical observations have not conclusively demonstrated a risk factor for telogen effluvium, clinicians should ask patients about their perceptions of hair loss and their expectations about the course of telogen effluvium.
One way to assess the severity of a patient’s telogen effluvium is by measuring hair density. This can be done by collecting a small amount of hair during morning hair grooming for a two-week period. The collected hair is then examined under a microscope. Hair loss greater than 100 to 150 hairs per day is generally indicative of telogen effluvium. This hair loss is typically associated with less than 50 percent of the scalp’s total hair.
A number of different medications can influence the cycle of the hair. These include oral contraceptives, b-blockers, and retinoids. In addition, a number of medical conditions can cause hair loss. These include hyperlipidemia, essential fatty acids, and uremia. Iron and zinc deficiency can also contribute to the cycle of the hair. Moreover, certain medical procedures, such as a resection of the liver, can cause a delayed release of the anagen phase. In addition, a person’s history may provide a more accurate assessment of hair density.
In addition to the medical factors, a number of lifestyle factors may impact the cycle of hair. These factors include diet, crash dieting, and drugs such as b-blockers and oral contraceptives.
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