TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM TREATMENT BIRMINGHAM

Overview of Alopecia

Individuals who have alopecia suffer from overt disfiguration, which in turn can lead to psychosocial embarrassment and low self-esteem. Alopecia can be classified into two broad categories:

1) non-cicatricial alopecia

2) cicatricial alopecia

The causes of non-cicatricial alopecias include very common forms of hair loss like androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, trichotillomania, anagen effluvium etc. Lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, folliculitis decalvans, cutaneous discoid lupus erythematosus etc. are few of the various conditions causing cicatricial alopecia for example.

Various treatment modalities traditionally exist for management of alopecias. Treatments for androgenetic alopecia include minoxidil, oral finasteride, PRP therapy, peptides and hair transplant surgery. High protein diet, iron supplements, exclusion of drugs which induce catagen like beta-blockers, retinoids, anticoagulants, diagnosis and treatment of catagen-inducing endocrine disorders (thyroid dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, or hyperprolactinemia) help in the management of telogen effluvium. An adequate evaluation including detailed dietary history and management is essential for appropriate patient care and successful treatment of alopecia.

What is Telogen Effluvium?

It is normal to shed hairs from our scalp daily as part of a normal hair cycle, but this can vary depending on washing and brushing routines. Hair regrows automatically so that the total number of hairs on our head remains constant. Telogen effluvium occurs when there is a marked increase in hair shedding. An increased proportion of hairs 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. This usually happens suddenly and can occur approximately 3 months after a trigger. Furthermore, telogen effluvium is not inherited, and it can affect all age groups and both genders equally.

This increased in hair shedding (telogen effluvium) occurs due to a disturbance of the normal hair cycle.

It is commonly associated to varies triggers seen below.

Causes of Telogen Effluvium

Childbirth
Servere trauma or illness
Poor health / diet
Stressfull or major life event
Marked weight loss
Extreme dieting
Skin issues
Mediciation
Withdrawal od a hormorne treatment

TREATMENT FOR TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM

Telogen effluvium is some cases can be very difficult to treat. But, in the first instance, it is important a blood test is carried out to rule out other causes of hair loss such as thyroid dysfunction and iron or vitamin D deficiency. Furthermore, the life stress needs to be suppressed and dietary adjustments need to take place.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection treatment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a newer method for the treatment of various types of alopecia and is an extremely popular form of treatment in hair restoration for both men and women. PRP injection is a simple, cost-effective and feasible treatment option for androgenic alopecia, with high overall patient satisfaction. Further information can be found here. PRP therapy for hair loss.