Telogen effluvium is an increase in the amount of hair a person sheds. It is a form of temporary hair loss that usually happens after stress, a shock, or a traumatic event. The condition is generally reversible.

Telogen effluvium is differentTrusted Source from the hair loss disorder alopecia areata. With telogen effluvium, large amounts of a person’s hair might fall out, but it is often temporary, and the hair usually grows back.

Telogen effluvium usually occurs on the top of the scalp. Chronic telogen effluvium refers to frequent periods of hair shedding over several months.

This article looks at the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of telogen effluvium, including dietary changes that may help.

A hairbrush that contains strands of hair. Share on Pinterest
GoodLifeStudio/Getty Images

Telogen effluvium is a form of hair loss that involves hair thinning or increased hair shedding. It occurs more oftenTrusted Source in women and is usually due to a disturbance in the hair cycle.

The hair cycle typically has three phases:

  1. Anagen or growth phase.
  2. Catagen or transitional phase.
  3. Telogen or resting phase.

Telogen effluvium is associated with the telogen phase. Typically, 15% of a person’s hair is in the telogen phase at any one time.

With telogen effluvium, the anagen phase slows down, meaning fewer hairs enter the next two stages. With this condition, around 30% of hair follicles move into the telogen phase, meaning hair shedding occurs.

Chronic telogen effluvium is where a person frequently experiences periods of hair shedding for more than 6 monthsTrusted Source. Telogen effluvium is generally reversible.

People with this condition do not lose all their hair, although it may become noticeably thin.

The main symptom of telogen effluvium is an increaseTrusted Source in the amount of hair a person sheds.

Someone may notice more hair than usual falling out when washing or brushing it. They may also find more hair in the drain or on their pillow.

Disturbances to the hair cycle can be due to several triggers, including:

  • Severe stress: Prolonged periods of stress can result in telogen effluvium. Hair loss typically occurs about 2-4 after a stressful event.
  • Less nutritious diet: Hair requires key nutrientsTrusted Source to grow, including protein, iron, B vitamins, and zinc.
  • Sudden weight loss: Weight loss or chronic calorie restriction, such as in anorexia nervosa, can cause the hair to shed.
  • Pregnancy and childbirth: During pregnancy, more hair is in the growth phase for longer. Hormonal changes that occur 3–4 months after birth can cause hair to shed, known as postpartum telogen effluvium.
  • Menopause: Hormonal changes that occur during menopause may also cause telogen effluvium.
  • Certain drugs: Some medications and recreational drugs can causeTrusted Source hair loss, such as beta-blockers, retinoids, and anticoagulants.
  • Underlying health conditions: These can include autoimmune disease, conditions that affect the thyroid gland, and alopecia areata.
  • Surgery: This depends on the type of procedure, length of stay in the hospital, medications, and overall nutritional status.
  • Metal toxicity: Contact with toxic chemicals in metal can lead toTrusted Source hair loss.

Treatment for telogen effluvium depends on what is triggering the hair loss. Once the trigger has been established and addressed, the hair cycle should stabilize, and hair will begin to grow back.

Treatment options includeTrusted Source:

A person may wish to avoid chemical or heat treatments that could damage the hair. It is also advisable to avoid heat styling and heat treatment, such as curling or perming the hair.

Dietary considerations includeTrusted Source:

  • Getting enough protein: Protein provides the building blocks for hair to grow. A person can aim to include plenty of protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs, fish, beans, grains, and nuts. The amino acid lysine may be particularly important for hair growth.
  • Getting enough iron: Iron deficiency may have a connection with telogen effluvium. Making changes to the diet to include iron-rich foods may help with hair loss. These include red meat, liver, dark green leafy vegetables, beans, and lentils.
  • Using supplements: A person can consider supplementation for a short time while working on increasing their nutrition.

For professional advice, a person can contact a dermatologist or trichologist, who is a specialist in conditions related to the hair and scalp.

With telogen effluvium, it is common for hair to grow back within 3–6 months after managing the cause. Sometimes, the rate of shedding slows down but does not stop entirely. In most cases, a person will not lose more than 50% of their hair.

When diagnosing telogen effluvium, a doctor will examine the hairs that have fallen out. The diameter and length of the lost hairs can signal this condition and may help a doctor differentiate between telogen effluvium and alopecia.

A doctor can also perform several testsTrusted Source:

A dermatologist might also be able to diagnose telogen effluvium and offer advice. They will look at other indicators of hair health, such as the appearance of the scalp, any patches of hair loss, or more generalized hair thinning.

How do I know if my hair loss is telogen effluvium?

Hair loss that is telogen effluvium is usually characterized by the followingTrusted Source:

  1. Even thinning across the scalp
  2. Hair loss is triggered 2-3 months after a major stressor or change
  3. Increased and noticeable hair fall in a person’s brush or on their pillows
  4. No signs of scarring or inflammation on the scalp

What are the triggers for telogen effluvium?

Telogen effluvium can be caused by several triggers, including:

  • severe stress
  • nutritional deficiencies
  • sudden weight loss
  • hormonal changes
  • surgery

How long does telogen effluvium last?

Telogen effluvium usually lasts around 6 monthsTrusted Source and is generally reversible. If cases last longer than this, it is known as chronic telogen effluvium. This condition mostly affects middle-aged women.

Can you stop telogen effluvium once it starts?

There are no treatments proven to prevent Telogen effluvium or to stop the shedding once it starts.

However, managing underlying triggers may help resolve it more quickly. For example, dealing with stress, correcting nutritional deficiencies, and addressing any medical issues can aidTrusted Source recovery.

Telogen effluvium is a common cause of temporary hair loss. It involves an abrupt onset of hair shedding, usually several months after experiencing a triggering event.

It usually lasts around 6 months, except for cases of chronic telogen effluvium, which lasts longer. No specific treatment exists, but lifestyle and dietary changes can be effective in beginning hair regrowth.