If shedding starts in August, why is it vital to review potential triggers like major illnesses from four months prior, specifically when investigating Telogen Effluvium?
Because this lag time points toward established delay mechanisms of the hair cycle
When assessing non-genetic hair loss, particularly Telogen Effluvium (TE), the time difference between the causative event and the observed shedding is a crucial diagnostic marker. Unlike genetic loss, which is constant, or immediate reactions, TE involves a systemic shock that must propagate through the hair growth phases (anagen to catagen to telogen) before the hair sheds. This established progression means there is a natural lag, often cited as two to three months. Reviewing records from four months prior (which aligns with the two-to-three-month shedding delay) helps healthcare providers confirm that the shedding aligns with a known shock (like surgery or illness) rather than suggesting an immediate cause or confusing it with continuous, genetically driven thinning.
