Hair loss is a common problem that affects many men and women around the world. It can occur in any age group and show up in many ways. One of the most common types is effluvium, or hair shedding. In this article we explore what causes it, how it shows up and the best ways to prevent and stop it.
What is Effluvium Hair Loss?
Effluvium is a condition that causes a lot of hair shedding. It is usually temporary and can be reversed with the right care and treatment. There are two main types:
- Telogen effluvium: this is the more common type. It happens when a large number of hair follicles enter the resting phase (telogen) of the hair cycle too early. This leads to more shedding. It does not usually last and can be set off by various triggers or changes in the body. The shedding often shows up a few months after the trigger and can last for several months.
- Anagen effluvium: this happens during the growth phase (anagen) of the hair cycle. It often follows an insult to the hair follicles, such as chemotherapy. This leads to rapid, severe hair loss. Unlike telogen effluvium, it can affect hair not just on the scalp but on other parts of the body too, including the brows and lashes.
It helps to understand the difference in causes and look between the two types. This makes it easier to prevent and find the right treatment.
Causes of Hair Loss Effluvium
Several things can trigger effluvium. Finding the root cause is the first step in treating and preventing it. The most common causes include:
- Stress and trauma: both physical and emotional stress are a major trigger for telogen effluvium. Things like major surgery, severe illness or big life changes such as a divorce or job loss can push hair follicles into the resting phase, which leads to shedding. Worse still, long-term stress can have a lasting impact on hair health and lead to ongoing shedding.
- Hormonal changes: these are a common cause, especially in women. Shifts during pregnancy, birth and menopause are common triggers. During pregnancy, the body makes higher levels of certain hormones that lengthen the growth phase. After birth, these hormone levels drop sharply, which leads to more shedding. Menopause brings its own hormone shifts that can upset the hair growth cycle.
- Medicines and treatments: these can trigger both types. Chemotherapy is the best-known cause of anagen effluvium, as it targets fast-dividing cells, including those in hair follicles. Other drugs that can cause telogen effluvium include beta-blockers, blood thinners, retinoids and some antidepressants. Radiation therapy and other treatments for serious illness can also affect hair growth.
- Nutrient gaps: these can also lead to shedding. Low iron, for example, is a common cause of telogen effluvium, especially in women. Low zinc and too little vitamin D and B vitamins can also affect hair health and cause loss.
- Medical conditions: these can upset the hair growth cycle and lead to shedding. Thyroid problems, where the thyroid is overactive or underactive, can cause telogen effluvium. Autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, plus severe infections, can also trigger hair loss. Long-term illnesses like diabetes and liver disease can affect hair growth too.
Signs You Might Have Hair Loss Effluvium
Spotting the signs early matters, as catching it early helps stop it getting worse and makes treatment easier. The signs depend on whether you have telogen or anagen effluvium.
The main signs of telogen effluvium include:
- Diffuse thinning: the thinning spreads across the whole scalp rather than affecting set areas or patches.
- More shedding: this is easy to spot during washing, combing or running your fingers through your hair. Clumps of hair in the shower drain or on your pillow are a common sign too.
- No bald patches: unlike alopecia areata, there are no complete bald spots.
The key signs of anagen effluvium include:
- Rapid hair loss: this often happens within days to weeks of the trigger. It is more severe than the slow shedding of telogen effluvium.
- Loss beyond the scalp: hair can also fall from other areas, such as the brows and lashes.
- Breakage at the scalp: this leaves short, stubbly hair.
Diagnosis
If you think you have effluvium, it is important to see a doctor to confirm it. See a doctor if you notice sudden or heavy shedding, especially with other signs like tiredness, weight loss or changes in your skin or nails. Early action helps you manage it better. Your doctor may run a few tests, such as:
- Scalp check: this looks for signs of swelling, infection or other scalp problems.
- Blood tests: these pick up hidden issues such as thyroid problems, nutrient gaps or hormone imbalances.
- Hair pull test: the doctor gently pulls a small number of hairs (about 60) to see how many come out. Losing more than a few can point to telogen effluvium.
- Trichoscopy: this uses a dermatoscope to look closely at the scalp and hair. It gives detailed images that help find the cause.
- Scalp biopsy: this takes a tiny section of scalp to look at under a microscope. It can help tell different types of hair loss apart.
Most people will have a check-up and blood tests with their GP or family doctor. Trichoscopy is usually done by a specialist, and a scalp biopsy is kept for when more detail is needed.
Treatments for Hair Loss Effluvium
Treatment focuses on fixing the root cause and supporting hair growth. It splits into medical and lifestyle measures.
The main medical treatments include:
- Topical treatments: you apply these straight to the scalp. Minoxidil can help spur hair growth. It comes over the counter in lower strengths as Regaine, and from a doctor for higher strengths or when mixed with other medicines like tretinoin, finasteride, dutasteride or spironolactone.
- Oral medicines: options like spironolactone, finasteride or hormone replacement therapy may help with hormone-related shedding. For severe telogen effluvium, oral minoxidil might be an option.
- Treating the cause: sorting out problems like thyroid disorders or nutrient gaps is key to reversing the shedding and stopping it coming back.
Helpful lifestyle and wellness measures include:
- Stress management: yoga, breathing work and regular exercise can all help lower stress, which is key to preventing telogen effluvium. Hobbies, time with loved ones and downtime help too.
- Gentle hair care: avoid harsh treatments and pick mild products. Sulphate-free shampoos, less heat styling and looser styles all cut damage to hair follicles.
- Balanced diet: aim for enough protein, vitamins and minerals. Look for foods rich in iron (lean meats, spinach and lentils), zinc (nuts, seeds and whole grains) and vitamins (fruit, veg and whole grains).
- Supplements: biotin, iron, zinc and vitamin D can support hair health, especially if you are low in them. Always check with a doctor before starting a new one to make sure it suits you.
Preventing Hair Loss Effluvium
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some of the best ways to prevent effluvium:
- Look after your hair: avoid too much heat and too many chemicals, and use gentle products. Cut back on heated tools and chemical treatments like dyes and perms, as these weaken hair and add to shedding. Use mild shampoos, skip tight styles, trim split ends and use wide-toothed combs.
- Limit high-stress spells: manage stress and get enough sleep. Build calming habits into your day, such as deep breathing, gentle stretching or time in nature. Good sleep matters too, as poor sleep can worsen stress and harm your hair.
- Routine check-ups: regular reviews with your doctor can catch and manage problems before they set in. Treating thyroid disorders, anaemia and hormone imbalances early helps stop effluvium taking hold.
Living with Hair Shedding
Whether your shedding is short-term or longer-lasting, living with it can be hard. Whatever treatment you choose (if any), it helps to look after yourself as a whole:
- Protect your mental health: this is key to coping with hair loss. Talking to friends, family or support groups can bring comfort, and professional support can help if shedding is really affecting you.
- Smart hair care: the right care can cut shedding and make thinning less obvious. Shampoos for fine hair can make it look fuller, and loose styles like soft braids and updos put less stress on the follicles.
- Stay positive: focus on the fact that this is usually temporary and that regrowth is likely. This type of shedding often puts itself right, and with the right care you can see things get better.
- Self-care: doing things that make you feel good helps too. Spa treatments, new hobbies and time with loved ones can lift your mood and confidence, which can itself cut stress-related shedding.
Shedding hair quickly like this can be hard to cope with. However, understanding its causes, signs and treatment options can help you prevent and manage it. It is vital to seek medical advice if you suspect hair loss, so you can get properly checked and find the right plan. The best way to stop this type of shedding and get back to healthy, full hair is a rounded approach that combines medical and lifestyle measures.
We believe that hair regrowth is a deeply personal journey. This is why we provide personalised hair loss treatments for men and women through our online clinic. Our doctors create bespoke hair loss treatments using actives like minoxidil, spironolactone, finasteride, dutasteride and tretinoin where appropriate. To start your personalised plan, book a virtual video consultation or use our online consultation form. The journey towards great skin and hair starts here.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any health concerns or questions you might have.
