Telogen Effluvium: A Review

Telogen effluvium was first described by Kligman in 1961. It is a most common cause of diffuse hair loss. Women with telogen effluvium more frequently present to dermatologist. A wide variety of potential triggers have been implicated in the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium. Diffuse shedding of telogen hair are seen after 3-4 months of triggering event. The observation of increased telogen hair shedding does not infer a cause. Establishing aetiology of telogen effluvium requires elicitation of relevant history and appropriate laboratory investigations to exclude endocrine, nutritional and autoimmune disorders.