What should you know about seasonal telogen effluvium?

Telogen effluvium occurs when more hairs than usual enter the resting and shedding phase after a body stressor. The shedding can become noticeable later, so the trigger may have happened months before the hair in the brush increases. Possible triggers include fever or illness, emotional strain, major weight change, restrictive eating, nutritional deficiency, surgery, or hormonal change.

Seasonal timing may repeat, but it does not confirm the diagnosis. Telogen effluvium usually causes diffuse loss across the scalp rather than a sharply defined bald patch. It can coexist with pattern hair loss, and a scalp examination helps separate shedding from breakage or reduced density.

Write down when shedding began and review the preceding months for illness, stress, diet, medication, or hormonal changes. Take comparison photos in consistent lighting. Handle wet hair gently, avoid tight pulling and frequent high heat, and eat regular balanced meals with adequate protein. Hair supplements are useful only when a deficiency or suitable indication is identified; excessive supplements can cause harm.

A clinician may examine the scalp and discuss blood tests when symptoms or history suggest a nutritional, thyroid, hormonal, or other medical contributor. Treatment focuses on the trigger and any separate hair condition.

Book an assessment if shedding is heavy, lasts beyond the expected recovery period, repeatedly returns, or causes visible thinning. Seek earlier care for round patches, scalp scale, pain, sores, broken hairs, eyebrow loss, fatigue, unexpected weight change, or other new symptoms. Urgent review is needed for a severely inflamed scalp or signs of infection.

Ask whether the shedding fits telogen effluvium, what trigger is most plausible, whether tests are needed, and whether minoxidil, supplements, or other treatments suit your history and examination.