CHRONIC TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM (CTE)
Other names: Chronic Hair Shedding
Note: Chronic telogen effluvium is a different condition than Acute telogen effluvium
What is Chronic (Idiopathic) Telogen Effluvium or “CTE”?
- CTE one of a group of disorders known as “hair shedding” conditions
What are the symptoms of Chronic Telogen Effluvium?
- Individuals with CTE notice increased daily hair shedding.
- The amount of hair loss varies from day-to-day. On some days, over 300 hairs may be lost, whereas on other days, 40-50 hairs will be lost
- Individuals will report excessive hair in their brush, hair falling on clothes, clogged shower drains and plugged vacuums
- Some individuals have scalp symptoms such as tingling or pain
- Hair loss occurs all over the scalp, but is often marked in the temples
What tests will be needed to diagnosis Chronic Telogen Effluvium?
- Your doctor may ask you to obtain several blood tests to make determine if you have any easily correctable causes of hair shedding. (ie. acute telogen effluvium)
- One or more biopsies of your scalp may be obtained
- You may or may not also be requested to perform a “Hair Collection” at home.
What is the treatment for Chronic Telogen Effluvium?
- There are no cures for CTE.
- The following treatments may prove helpful to reduce the amount of shedding you have. Your doctor will review these with you and whether or not you might benefit
- Minoxidil 5 % lotion applied daily
- L-lysine – 500 mg tabs used twice daily
- Low level laser therapy
- Platelet rich plasma therapy
- Vitamins
- Biotin
What is the long term effect on my hair if I have Chronic Telogen Effluvium?
- Individuals with CTE never go bald
- Hair shedding can continue for many, many years, but hair shedding eventually stops.
- The reasons for this are not well understood at the present time.
If a patient has not developed a second hair condition during the years that the CTE was happening, hair density will return to the original density.