Common hair loss or shedding

Overview

Telogen effluvium is extra shedding 2 to 3 months after a shock to the body, like a high fever, surgery, childbirth, crash dieting, or stress.

Other types include pattern hair loss, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), and loss from tight hairstyles.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Hair loss
• More hair in the brush or shower drain

Less common

• Thinner ponytail
• Wider part

When to get medical care

Causes

Stress, illness, childbirth, crash diets, low iron, thyroid problems, some medicines, genes, and tight hairstyles.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Recent illness or surgery
• After childbirth
• Low iron

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional asks about recent events and looks at your scalp.

Questions you may be asked

• When shedding started and recent illness or stress
• Diet and medicines

The exam

A scalp exam and a gentle hair pull test.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Blood tests: Iron, thyroid, and vitamin D.

Treatment

Shedding from stress or illness usually stops on its own.

Self-care

• Be gentle with hair: avoid tight styles and harsh heat
• Eat enough protein and iron
• Manage stress

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Treat any cause found, like low iron or thyroid problems.

Prevention

To protect hair:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Avoid tight styles

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a dermatologist (skin doctor).

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• After childbirth: Shedding peaks around 4 months and usually stops by a year.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some skin medicines, like isotretinoin and retinoid creams, aren't safe in pregnancy.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most shedding from stress or illness grows back.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

Questions to ask

• Do I need blood tests?
• Will it grow back?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Common hair loss or shedding