The past few months have been stressful for almost everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Surprisingly, one of the concerns coming up is about hair loss. People are noticing more strands of hair at their shower drain, on their pillows and combs. A closer look at the mirror and you can see the hair thinning starting to appear. In case you might be wondering what is causing all this, the simple answer is stress. Yes, stress does interfere with your hair cycle and causes the hair loss you are experiencing. This condition is known as Telogen Effluvium.
How Telogen Effluvium Interrupts The Hair Cycle
Every day, your hair undergoes a cycle that allows it to grow. The cycle involves three phases; active growth, transition and resting phase. A perfect hair cycle has all these three phases progressing actively. The challenge comes in when one is undergoing a stressful situation. It can be a pandemic, illness, divorce, unemployment or loss of a loved one. Such instances lead to an increase in the release of the stress hormone ‘cortisol’. Cortisol causes hair follicles to hibernate in the resting phase instead of maintaining their active growth. The resting phase is also called the Telogen phase and thus the condition’s name Telegon Effluvium.
Once hair follicles are stuck in the resting phase, you will start to notice increased hair loss. On normal occasions, 80 – 100 strands of hair shed each day, so any number beyond this is a cause of concern. The condition doesn’t start immediately but takes approximately 2 months to begin showing. It is also prudent to know that there are other factors leading to this condition.
It’s Not Just Stress But Also…
Stress might be the leading cause of Telogen Effluvium, but it’s not the only cause to watch out for. Other illnesses, such as alopecia and high fever, can also trigger the condition. It is also true that a sudden weight loss or extreme change in diet can cause hair loss.
As much as both genders get affected by the condition, women ought to be extra cautious. Some of the causes specific to only women include childbirth and menopause. 3 to 6 months after childbirth, hormonal changes begin to occur, and one of the results is hair shedding. This type of hair loss is called Post-Partum Telogen Effluvium. There are also hormonal changes that occur during menopause that lead to hair loss.
How to Save Yourself from Telogen Effluvium
Good news! The condition is temporary, and with the right remedy, you can have it sorted out. Depending on the cause of hair loss, there are many solutions. Eating healthy foods rich in proteins, vitamins A & C and minerals such as Iron will set you on the right path. For women experiencing hair loss due to childbirth or menopause hormonal therapy works. Finally, if stress is your main cause, try to dissociate from it as much as possible. This can be through exercising, meditating, seeking a counsellor or having positive interactions. Once everything is back to normal give yourself 3 to 6 months, and your hair loss will be a thing of the past. If not, we can get you a hair assessment to resolve your hair troubles.