telogen effluvium
Diffuse hair loss
Telogen effluvium is a form of temporary hair loss triggered when a large number of hair follicles simultaneously enter the resting (telogen) phase of the growth cycle.
The condition typically follows a stressful event—illness, surgery, childbirth, severe emotional stress, or nutritional deficiency—appearing two to three months after the trigger.
Hair sheds diffusely rather than in patches, often noticed as increased hair in the shower drain or on the pillow.
The condition usually resolves on its own once the underlying cause is addressed.
Hair growth's dormant stage
- follicleSkin cavity growing strands
- synchronizationAligning timing across systems
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- hair bulbGrowth structure beneath scalp
Losing outer covering
- thinningReducing density or number
- hair lossDiminishing scalp coverage
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- clumpsMasses stuck together
shower drain · brush · pillow · strands
Growing back again
- minoxidilVasodilator for follicles
- biotinB7, a metabolic cofactor
- iron supplementsMineral pills for deficiency
- patienceCalm during delays
time · nutrition · stress management · protein intake · dermatologist · blood tests · underlying cause · vitamins
Pressure, mental or vocal
- postpartumAfter childbirth period
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
- illnessState of poor health
- feverElevated body temperature
thyroid · hormonal · nutritional deficiency · iron deficiency · crash diet · medication · childbirth · trauma
Losing outer covering
- thinningReducing density or number
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- chronicPersisting over time
temporary · reversible · self-limiting · diagnosis · dermatologist · trichologist · differential diagnosis · pattern baldness
telogen
Hair growth's dormant stage
- follicleSkin cavity growing strands
- synchronizationAligning timing across systems
- dormancySuspended biological activity
shedding
Losing outer covering
- thinningReducing density or number
- hair lossDiminishing scalp coverage
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
clumps · shower drain · brush · pillow · strands
regrowth
Growing back again
- minoxidilVasodilator for follicles
- biotinB7, a metabolic cofactor
- iron supplementsMineral pills for deficiency
patience · time · nutrition · stress management · protein intake · dermatologist · blood tests · underlying cause · vitamins
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- postpartumAfter childbirth period
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
- illnessState of poor health
fever · thyroid · hormonal · nutritional deficiency · iron deficiency · crash diet · medication · childbirth · trauma · cortisol
shedding
Losing outer covering
- thinningReducing density or number
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
chronic · temporary · reversible · self-limiting · diagnosis · dermatologist · trichologist · differential diagnosis · pattern baldness · female
- baldnessbald, baldness, balding, bald spot, bald patch
- hair issuesdandruff, split ends, hair loss, frizz, dry hair
- hair losshair loss, baldness, balding, bald spot, thinning
- scalp problemsdandruff, itchy scalp, oily scalp, flaky scalp, cradle cap