CTE hair loss: what to know

Hair normally moves through growth, resting and shedding phases. After physical or emotional stress, illness, a major diet change, hormonal change or some medicines, more hairs can enter the resting phase together. Shedding may become noticeable later and can continue while the trigger is still present or being corrected.

A clinician checks the scalp pattern and history because ongoing shedding can overlap with female pattern hair loss, male pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, scalp ringworm or traction from tight styles. The scalp may look normal in telogen effluvium, without smooth bald patches or scarring.

Keep a simple record of when shedding began, recent illness, weight change, stress, menstrual or hormonal changes, medicines and hair practices. Eat regular, balanced meals and handle hair gently; avoid tight pulling and repeated high-heat styling while the cause is being reviewed. A clinician may examine the scalp and request targeted blood tests when the history suggests a nutritional, thyroid or other medical contributor.

Arrange a medical review for persistent or rapidly increasing shedding, visible scalp, broken hairs, scalp scale, tenderness, pus, or smooth patches. Seek prompt care if hair loss comes with marked fatigue, fainting, unexplained weight change or other new systemic symptoms. These features can point to a cause needing treatment rather than simple observation.

Ask whether the pattern fits chronic telogen effluvium, which triggers should be investigated, whether medicines or blood tests are relevant, and how progress will be monitored before considering finasteride treatment or another option.