Is Telogen Effluvium Temporary Or Permanent

Telogen effluvium, a type of alopecia, is one of the most common causes of hair loss. People suffering from telogen effluvium notice shedding of hair throughout their entire scalp. The hair can come out in large numbers (e.g. greater than 100 hair a day). Isn’t it shocking? But, it is certainly a truth!

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It is normal to shed approximately 50-100 strands daily as part of your regular hair cycle, but this can vary depending on your washing and brushing routines. Your hair re-grows automatically so that the total number of hair on your head remains constant.

In a person with telogen effluvium, there is a marked increase in hair shedding each day. An increased proportion of hair shift from the growing phase (anagen) to the shedding phase (telogen). Normally only 10% of the scalp hair is in the telogen phase, but in telogen effluvium, this increases to 30% or more. So, if you have telogen effluvium, you may lose an average of 300 hair a day instead of 100! This usually happens suddenly and can occur approximately 3 months after a trigger.

The trigger can be anything – right from giving birth to a child to severe trauma or illness. Any major stressful life event which gives a shock to the person or creates a stressful or traumatic situation can cause telogen effluvium. Even your extreme weight loss techniques, poor diet, new medication, withdrawal of a hormone treatment, or menopause condition can disturb your hair cycle and trigger hair fall.

The good news is that hair loss caused due to this condition is temporary. Once the trigger has been established and addressed, the hair cycle should normalize and hair will begin to grow back. For example, if you’re losing hair due to poor diet, it can be easily corrected by having a balanced diet that provides enough protein, iron and other nutrients. However, noticeable symptoms of telogen effluvium begin two to four months after the event happens. It makes it difficult for the patient to address the problem in the initial stages. But, you don’t need to worry much as with telogen effluvium, it is common for hair to grow back within 3 to 6 months after the cause has been dealt with. Sometimes, the rate of shedding slows down but does not stop entirely.

In such case, you can take medical help from a homeopath. Homeopathy treatment is very effective in correcting stress-related hair loss issues. Because homeopathy is a mind-body medicine and it not only treats the physical complaints but also targets the mind and gently restores the body-mind equilibrium.

Besides, it is imperative to take some mental relaxation techniques such as yoga, regular exercise and active sports to mitigate stress. Even you should include ‘hair-friendly’ foods in your diet like adequate amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals (dark green, leafy vegetables, dates, bean sprouts, nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashew, and pistachios, whole grain cereals, and olive oil). People who consume flaxseed often report of a natural, healthy evolution in the condition of their hair.