There are many reasons why someone might lose some of their hair. One of the more common reasons is because of telogen effluvium. This can occur for various reasons. A hair professional can provide advice on hair loss prevention and offer suggestions for hair loss solutions if you’re already experiencing acute telogen effluvium.
What Is Telogen Effluvium?
This is a common form of hair loss where an individual experiences a temporary loss of hair, typically around the top of their head. It is called acute telogen effluvium because it is a significant change to the hair. The affected individual can lose hair to a severe degree.
What Causes Telogen Effluvium?
There are several causes, but they all relate to experiencing some kind of stress that directly affects the body. For example, undergoing some kind of surgery can cause the condition. Some illnesses resulting in a severe fever can also lead to it developing, with other acute illnesses also potentially causing it in some people.
However, telogen effluvium does not always occur because of a physical condition. It can also occur if you go through a stressful life event. This has many effects on us, and some people may notice a sudden loss of hair beyond their normal hair shedding levels. Even something as simple as changing your diet can cause it to occur, although it would usually be a significant change.
It can sometimes be difficult to figure out the cause, however, mainly because the hair loss often does not begin straightaway. There is usually a two to three-month period between experiencing the physical, mental, or emotional event and the hair shedding beginning, so it isn’t always obvious, at least to begin with.
How Long Does Acute Telogen Effluvium Last?
Acute cases indicating sudden hair loss of this nature usually resolve themselves without requiring any treatment. Acute cases do not typically last beyond six months. If your hair loss lasts longer than this, it is referred to as chronic telogen effluvium.
If you experience acute telogen effluvium and you cannot think of a cause, it might be best to seek advice from a medical professional. Some drugs can potentially cause hair loss, as can some medical conditions. Tests may help identify an underlying condition that can then be treated to help restore your hair growth. Remember to think back a few months though – lots of people don’t associate the connection with something that happened a while back.
How Can You Treat Acute Telogen Effluvium?
If you notice excess hair loss that could indicate you have this condition, it is advisable to seek advice from a hair professional. It’s also a good idea to think back two or three months if you cannot immediately identify a reason why you might have developed it. There are some simple techniques you can use to treat your hair at home. Be gentle whenever you brush your hair and keep brushing to a minimum. Your hair stylist can suggest which brush might be best for your hair type.
Biotin supplements may help encourage healthy hair growth and may be suggested to add to your daily vitamin routine. It might be a good idea to look at your diet too, to make sure you are getting enough iron. Some people who experience telogen effluvium are not eating enough protein, so this might be something to think about. Even if you are trying to cut back and lose weight, make sure your protein intake is sufficient. It’s easy to eat less than you need in this case.
If you have severe hair loss that will take a while to regrow, a hair loss professional may help you choose hair pieces that can cover the thinner areas until they grow back.
As we have seen, most cases of acute telogen effluvium resolve themselves within a matter of months. Your stylist can help you manage your hair in the interim and keep a closer eye on how it looks too.
For more information contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts.
