A type of alopecia that does not scar or cause bald patches, Telogen effluvium is distinguished by diffused hair shedding across the scalp.

It occurs when vast numbers of hair decide to enter the telogen (resting) state at the same time, which occurs due to hormone disruptions and stress. Shedding starts after the new anagen (growing) hairs start to grow and thrust the resting hairs out of the follicle.

Telogen effluvium can be diagnosed in the following ways:

• Scalp biopsy, which is the most effective and common way to diagnose effluvium. However it proves to be needless if the history is distinctive and even gentle tugs can result in many torn hairs in their growth state. Such are known as Telogen hairs and they are distinguished with the help of a white bulb and lack of glutinous hair cover.
• Cases of chronic telogen effluvium may be induced by a metabolic reason. Proper diagnoses that include common causes should be carried out in order to acknowledge the prime cause. For instance, if anyone has any symptom of hypothyroidism, a thyrotropin test should be imposed.
• Other counts include assessment of CBC count, serum iron, iron saturation, and ferritin. Iron saturation is the most famous sensitive indicator of iron deficiency.
• Screening for renal and hepatic enzymes may detect a systemic cause of hair shedding.

A form of alopecia that does not cause scarring, Telogen effluvium is distinguished by scattered hair shedding across the scalp.

Hair has two phases; one called anagen that signifies the growth phase and the other telogen, that is known as the resting phase. During the telogen state hair remains dormant in the follicle until it is shoved out with the growth of a new anagen hair.

Telogen effluvium occurs when physiologic stress or hormone disruptions cause more then enough hairs to enter the telogen state at once. Shedding starts after the new anagen hairs start to grow and push the resting hairs out of the follicle.

Causes that trigger Telogen effluvium include:

• Physiologic stress
• Hormone disruptions due to pregnancy, delivery, diet changes.
• Interactions with other medications or abrupt discontinuation of medications i.e. estrogen.
• Febrile illness
• Serious injuries to the scalp
• immunizations
• Papulosquamous scalp diseases such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis
• Chronic diseases which include lymphoproliferative malignancy, systemic lupus erythematosus, end-stage renal disease and liver disease.

Telogen effluvium can manifest at any age thus it is not uncommon to see infants with such a disease. Women are more prone to encounter Telogen effluvium because they experience conditions for instance postpartum period which generates hormonal changes.