Diffuse hair loss: its triggers and management.
Diffuse hair loss can affect both sexes at any age. Anything that interrupts the normal hair cycle can trigger diffuse hair loss. Triggers include a wide variety of physiologic or emotional stresses, nutritional deficiencies, and endocrine imbalances. Loss of telogen-phase hairs is the most common. Hair loss during the anagen phase is usually caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Finding the cause, or trigger, of the hair loss requires a thorough history and examination and will enable appropriate treatment. Patient education is key in the management of diffuse hair loss.
Harrison
Shannon
S
Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Bergfeld
Wilma
W
D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004032:Diet; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological