Definition

• Major thinning of the hair starting 3 months after a stressful event
• The medical name for this type of hair loss is telogen effluvium.

Health Information

Symptoms

• Lots of hair is noticed in a comb or brush.
• The hair falls out from all parts of the scalp.
• This leads to major thinning of the hair, but no bald spots.

Cause

• A severe stressful event
• Reason: Hair follicles are very sensitive to physical or emotional stress.
• Examples are a high fever, severe illness or surgery. Also, a psychological crisis or a crash diet can be triggers.
• In pregnant teens, the stress can be childbirth.
• Hair loss is not caused by shampoos.

Time Frame for Hair Loss and Return

• The hair begins to fall out about 3 months (100 days) after a severe stress. (Range: 2 to 4 months).
• It will keep falling out in large amounts over the next 3 or 4 months.
• After hair stops shedding, the hair will slowly grow back. This can take 6 to 8 months for all the hair to grow back.
• The whole cycle takes about 12 months.

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Thinning of the hair after a major stress can happen to anyone.
   • If your child is healthy, all the hair will return.
   • But there’s no way to hurry the process.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Hair Care:
   • Treat the hair gently.
   • Wash the hair no more than once per day. Always use a hair conditioner.
   • Comb the hair rather than brushing it.
   • Be careful at combing out any tangled hair.
   • Avoid any tight hair styles such as braids or a pony tail.
   • Don’t put tension on the hair.
3. Special Creams or Shampoos:
   • No special treatment is helpful.
   • The hair growth cycle needs to run its course.
4. What to Expect:
   • No more than 50% of the hair will be lost.
   • Once it starts to regrow, all the hair will grow back in 6 months.
   • The new hair will look normal.

Call Your Doctor If

• Hair does not grow back by 12 months
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

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