Chronic telogen effluvium can be complex and difficult to overcome. Hair loss at an alarming rate is the main characteristic of this condition. Because shedding occurs fairly evenly over the entire scalp rather than localized areas, it is also commonly known as diffuse hair loss.
Most women experience at least one episode of excessive shedding at some point in their life. Fortunately for many, it resolves quickly, often ending before there is an obvious decrease in volume. This is known as acute (or classical) telogen effluvium.
When the condition lasts for more than six months, it is considered chronic, causing noticeable weight loss and great distress to those affected. The disorder can fluctuate over many years with continuous, intermittent, or episodic shedding. In severe cases, undesirable texture changes can occur due to a high percentage of resting hair that no longer receives nutrients.
The positive side of this disorder is that it does not cause total baldness. New growth occurs, but as the condition progresses, the hair on the scalp can become quite sparse. Due to the long duration of the shedding increase, the replacement rate may not keep up with the loss rate. Even new growth can fall while the condition is active. Any follicle can be affected, whether the hair has been growing for a few months or a few years. For this reason, many drooping strands of different lengths are often noticed.
When analyzing fallen strands, some women express concern about a small white bulb at the end of each strand. The white bulb only indicates that the hair entered the resting (telogen) stage before falling out. This is a natural process in the growth cycle and is not a cause for additional concern.
While the acute version of this disorder is temporary and self-correcting, chronic telogen effluvium is an indication that the body is experiencing an internal imbalance. The underlying problem must be addressed and corrected before growth can resume.
While it may not seem like a positive aspect, this condition can be an early warning sign of an internal imbalance that could worsen if left untreated, leading one to restore physical or emotional balance before the condition worsens.
Identifying the cause can be a difficult task. Often there is more than one contributing factor, as the condition of the hair is a reflection of the entire health and well-being of the person. All symptoms, seemingly unrelated symptoms should be considered uniformly.
Possible causes include prolonged nutritional deficiencies caused by low intake or malabsorption, hormonal disorders, thyroid conditions, low-level systemic inflammation, systemic infection such as Candidiasis albicans, prolonged unresolved stress, digestive conditions such as gluten intolerance, autoimmune disorders , exposure to toxins or allergens, metabolic disorder, etc.
The best defense for chronic telogen effluvium is to get to the root of the problem and increase overall health and well-being in all areas of life. Any improvement that contributes to overall health is a step in the right direction. Developing better health with small improvements such as minimizing stress, exercising, maintaining the right weight, a healthy diet, a good attitude, happiness, and relaxation will help restore balance and create a healthy environment to increase the potential for healthy hair growth.