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What is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that affects women and men in many different ways. It occurs when the hair follicles enter a resting phase, or telogen, and then shed excessively. In the most severe cases, this type of hair loss can be profound and alarming.
The most frustrating thing abouttelogen effluvium is that it can be caused by a variety of different things, from medications to medical conditions to stress. The important thing is to identify what is causing the problem and treat it properly.
How to Identify Telogen Effluvium
The first step in identifying telogen effluvium is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to ask the right questions to pinpoint what is triggering the hair loss and conduct a physical examination, including a scalp biopsy if necessary.
You can also look for the following signs to help identify telogen effluvium:
- A Difference in Hair Texture: The shedding of telogen effluvium hairs is usually coarser and drier in texture than normal-growing hairs, instead of the same soft texture.
- Hair Loss in Clumps: Unlike typical hair shedding, telogen effluvium tends to result in clumps of strands of hair coming out when brushing or styling your hair.
- Visible Scalp: Telogen effluvium can cause the scalp to become more visible, as the amount of hair thickening the scalp decreases.
How to Treat Telogen Effluvium
Treatment for telogen effluvium depends on the underlying cause. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to reduce stress and manage any medical conditions that may be causing the hair loss.
Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help stimulate hair growth. Minoxidil is often prescribed as a topical solution to promote hair regrowth. Finasteride is also sometimes prescribed to reduce hair shedding and encourage new growth.
In addition to medical treatments, exercising on a regular basis, eating a balanced diet full of vitamins and nutrients, and minimizing stress are also important in helping treat telogen effluvium. Reducing hair styling and using gentle styling techniques can also help minimize shedding.
How to Improve Your Hair Health
In addition to treating telogen effluvium and its underlying cause, there are other steps you can take to ensure the health of your hair. Here are some tips on improving and maintaining the health of your hair:
- Avoid Tight Hairstyles: Tight hairstyles like ponytails can actively pull on the hair and damage the follicles, so avoid wearing especially tight hairstyles.
- Protect Your Hair from Heat: Heat from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons can damage the hair, so use a protective spray before using these tools.
- Get Regular Trims: Getting regular trims helps keep the hair healthy and can prevent split ends.
- Take Care of Your Scalp: A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair, so use special shampoos to nourish and protect your scalp.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Eating a balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals is essential for healthy hair growth.
Conclusion
Telogen effluvium can be a frightening experience for many people, but with the right treatments and preventative care, it can be managed to help restore the health of your hair. It is important to talk to your doctor to identify the underlying cause of the hair loss, and to follow the doctor’s recommendations to treat it correctly. Taking care of your hair and eating a healthy diet can also help reduce hair shedding and promote healthy hair growth.
