Diffuse hair loss

Abstract

• Many factors can lead to pathologically increased hair loss. The pathologic dynamics of hair loss can be related to disorders of hair cycling. • Telogen effluvium is hair loss that results from increased shedding of hairs from the telogen phase of the hair cycle. On the basis of changes in different phases of the follicular cycle, telogen effluvium is classified into varied functional types. • Telogen effluvium presents either as an acute and diffuse hair loss brought about by a variety of triggers, or as chronic telogen effluvium, which is defined as diffuse telogen hair loss that persists >6 months with unexplored or unknown etiologies. • Management of diffuse hair loss depends on the cause and underlying pathomechanism in its relation to the hair growth cycle. Once the diagnosis is established, treatment appropriate for that diagnosis is likely to control the hair loss. Chronic telogen effluvium of unknown origin can be satisfactorily handled with unpatronizing sympathy and by firm exposition of the dynamics of hair growth. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.