A form of hair loss where more than normal amounts of hair fall out. There is a general ‘thinning’ of the hair. Unlike some other hair and scalp conditions, it is temporary and the hair growth usually recovers. The term used to describe large numbers of hairs going into the telogen phase and shedding two to four months later in a diffuse manner. TE is referred to as a reflective loss of hair and can be caused by thyroid disorder, low iron, diabetes, medications, and protein deficiency. This is not a definitive list as there are other causes, not least the effects of the sympathetic nervous system described generally as ‘stress’, to do with emotional upset.
Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder characterised by repetitive and often uncontrollable pulling out of one’s own body hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss. Most commonly, the scalp hair, eyelashes and eyebrows are pulled, although hair may be pulled from any location. It is a relatively unfamiliar condition, although it is more common than you might think affecting 2-4% of the general population.
