Volume :

3

Issue :

1

Abstract :

Scalp hairs complete the body self-image and patients with diffuse alopecia suffer from overt disfiguration, leading to psycho-social embarrassment and significant lack of self-esteem. Diffuse alopecia is a non-scarring type of alopecia. Telogen effluvium is the most common cause of diffuse alopecia in females. Abrupt, rapid, generalized shedding of club hairs, 2-3 months after a triggering event like parturition, high fever, major surgery etc. indicates telogen effluvium, while gradual diffuse hair loss with thinning or widening of central parting line indicates female pattern hair loss, another common cause of diffuse alopecia. Excessive alarming diffuse hair loss, from a normal looking ahead without an obvious cause, is the hallmark of chronic telogen effluvium, which is a distinct entity different from telogen effluvium and female pattern hair loss. Hence an early diagnosis and an aggressive treatment in the case of active hair loss are crucial in the management of diffuse alopecia.