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In dermatology, effluvium refers to excessive hair loss, which can have various causes and usually refers to an increased number of hairs that fall out or are in a resting state. This condition is closely linked to the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle, a phase in which the hair stops growing and prepares for natural shedding.
The hair growth cycle consists of three main phases: the anagen phase (growth phase), the catagen phase (transition phase) and the telogen phase (resting phase). A healthy hair spends most of its life in the anagen phase, followed by a short catagen phase, and then enters the telogen phase, which lasts around 2 to 3 months. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair finally falls out and a new hair begins to grow from the same follicle, starting the cycle all over again.
Telogen effluvium occurs when an unusually high number of hairs enter the telogen phase prematurely and fall out. This can be triggered by various factors, including stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medication, illness or surgery. The result is diffuse hair loss, which can affect the entire head of hair without leaving obvious bald patches.
Although telogen effluvium is often temporary and hair regrows with time and the removal of the triggering cause, it can still be a significant emotional burden for those affected. The diagnosis and treatment of effluvium aims to identify and address the underlying causes in order to normalize the hair growth cycle and prevent further hair loss.
