Some trigger factors cause temporary and non scarring hair loss, known as
telogen effluvium (TE). This type of hair loss can be seen as an acute and all over the scalp. The resting phase of hair is known as telogen and loosing it is known as effluvium. When excessive amounts of hair simultaneously switch from anagen (growth) into telogen (dormancy) and subsequently shed several months later, the phenomenon is referred to as a telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic. In most cases, TE is 100% reversible if trigger factor is been treated earlier.
However If hair loss persists more than 6 months, it may convert into
chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) which is very difficult to treat and in few cases; it may convert into permanent damage. Chronic telogen effluvium have been reported mainly in women. Chronic telogen effluvium was first reported at a conference (Alopecia, Washington DC, November 1996) and later published as a newly identified diffuse form of hair loss in women. Very rarely has chronic telogen effluvium been reported in men. This form of hair loss can gradually become quite extensive, all over scalp and known as permanent changes.
Few known common triggers for Telogen effluvium (TE) are long Illness or major surgery, anaemia and severe blood loss, crash diets, Antibiotics, Hormonal changes, severe stress, vaccination, environment and water changes etc. Most common triggers for chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) are PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) and Thyroid in young females. To differentiate female pattern baldness and chronic telogen effluvim is not too difficult.
Female pattern baldness (FPB )occurs more commonly after menopause or 35+ age of females but chronic telogen effluvoim (CTE ) can be seen in young females.