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.