Causes of Diffuse Hair Loss

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The World of Hair

an on-line reference by Dr. John Gray,
provided by the P&G Hair Care Research Center.
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		Page 106 -- DIFFUSE HAIR LOSS

born this stimulation stops, and many of the follicles enter the catagen stage. Soon afterwards they enter the telogen phase in the normal course of events. They will be lost some two or three months later as the new hairs start to grow again. This is called telogen effluvium.

Two cases of telogen effluvium: the young woman above had a baby three months ago ...

pregnancy and iron deficiency can cause hair loss in women

... while this lady's condition is due to iron deficiency

Other causes of diffuse hair loss include the following:

high fever
blood loss
low levels of iron in the diet (possibly)
starvation, or drastic dieting
dental treatment or a surgical operation
certain medicines
disorders of the thyroid gland
severe and prolonged emotional stress (possibly).

Anyone with diffuse hair loss, especially if it has begun fairly suddenly, should see a doctor who understands the condition, since the causes are not always easy to identify.

losing hair

The amount of hair shed naturally by one person over one year