Telogen effluvium. New concepts and review.
BACKGROUND
Telogen effluvium is the result of a perturbation of the hair cycle that is manifest by increased loss of normal club hairs. Although diverse causes for telogen effluvium have been proposed, this article suggests several diverse mechanisms for the first time.


METHODS
Five different functional types of telogen effluvia are proposed based on changes in different phases of the follicular cycle. These are immediate anagen release, delayed anagen release, short anagen syndrome, immediate telogen release, and delayed telogen release. Diverse causes are confirmed and drug-related telogen effluvia are reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
The five diverse mechanisms proposed for telogen effluvia are generally confirmed and supported by clinical findings.
Headington
J T
JT
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48109-0602.
D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development*; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis