Telogen Effluvium? or something else.

Hello Doctor,
I am a 22 year old male, and for the past 3 months have been experiencing increased hair shedding and thinning hair.  I went to my dermatologist and she diagnosed me with Telogen effluvium.  She did a hair pluck and almost 20 hairs came out. I was horrified.

I believe I fit many of the symptoms of telogen effluvium but one thing that doesnt seem right is how the texture of my entire scalp has changed. All the hair on my scalp has become extremely fine and delicate.  Even the hair on the sides and back, which have always been thick because I have always shaved them since I was young.  This worries me because I know everything about TE, and know that it causes hair to shed, but no where does it say that it causes existing/growing hair to become extremely fine, thin, and delicate. Also I see a few growing hairs along my scalp line, and those are growing in extremely fine/thin. This makes me believe any hair which will grow back in the future, will come in this thin.

Can T.E. cause this along with the shedding? and will my hair return to its normal thickness in diameter?

Thanks doctor.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Sometimes patients in a variety of contexts do describe changes in hair texture.  It's hard to know what to make of this.  Usually, hair loss in telogen effluvium is dramatic, but regrowth is complete or nearly so.  I'm less sure about the texture, because it's less common.  Best to wait it out.

Sorry I can't be more definitive.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

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