What is the Difference Between Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium

The key difference between alopecia areata and telogen effluvium is that alopecia areata is a form of hair loss that is usually triggered by an autoimmune reaction while telogen effluvium is a form of hair loss that is usually triggered by a specific event.

Hair loss is called alopecia. It is caused by an interruption in the hair production cycle of the body and can occur anywhere on the body. It most commonly affects the scalp. There are different types of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, anagen effluvium, alopecia areata, tinea capitis, cicatricial alopecia, hair shaft abnormalities, and hypotrichosis.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Alopecia Areata 
3. What is Telogen Effluvium
4. Similarities – Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium
5. Alopecia Areata vs. Telogen Effluvium in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium
7. Summary – Alopecia Areata vs. Telogen Effluvium

What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss due to an autoimmune reaction. In this type of hair loss, the hair comes out in clumps and takes on the shape of a quarter. People with alopecia areata may lose hair on the scalp entirely, experience hair loss over the entire body, encounter sudden thinning of the hair rather than isolated patches, or lose hair in a band shape around the sides and back of the head. Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include small bald patches on the scalp or other body parts, patches that can grow larger and merge into a bald spot, hair growing back in one spot and falling out in another, significant hair loss over a short period, increased hair loss in cold weather, and red, brittle, and pitted fingernails and toenails. Risk factors for this condition include a family history of alopecia areata, asthma, Down syndrome, pernicious anemia, seasonal allergies, thyroid disease, and vitiligo.

Alopecia areata can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, biopsy, and blood test. Furthermore, treatment options for alopecia areata may include corticosteroids, topical immunotherapy, and minoxidil (rogaine).

What is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is a form of hair loss that affects people after they experience severe stress or a change in their body. It is the most common form of hair loss in women.

Moreover, the symptoms of telogen effluvium may include increased hair loss noticed in the hairbrush, shower drain, or on the pillow, thinning hair on the scalp, and dry hairs that fall out easily. Telogen effluvium can be triggered by risk factors such as high fever, childbirth, severe infections, psychological stress, major surgery, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, discontinuation of birth control pills, Fad diets, and some medications such as retinoids, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, depression medicines, and NSAIDs.

Telogen effluvium can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, pull test, scalp biopsy, and blood test. Furthermore, treatment options for telogen effluvium may include medications (minoxidil), multivitamins or supplements (iron and biotin), and styling techniques.

What are the Similarities Between Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium?

• Alopecia areata and telogen effluvium are two forms of hair loss.
• Both conditions may be temporary.
• They can be diagnosed through physical examination, biopsy, and blood tests.
• They can be treated through medications such as minoxidil.

What is the Difference Between Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium?

Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss that is usually triggered by an autoimmune reaction, while telogen effluvium is a form of hair loss that is usually triggered by a specific event. Thus, this is the key difference between alopecia areata and telogen effluvium. Furthermore, the risk factors for alopecia areata are family history, asthma, Down syndrome, pernicious anaemia, seasonal allergies, thyroid disease, and vitiligo. On the other hand, the risk factors for telogen effluvium are high fever, childbirth, severe infections, psychological stress, major surgery, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, discontinuing use of birth control pills, Fad diets, and some medications such as retinoids, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, depression medicines, and NSAIDs.

The infographic below presents the differences between alopecia areata and telogen effluvium in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium

Can telogen effluvium turn into alopecia?

Telogen effluvium can be a cause for alopecia.

Does hair still grow during telogen effluvium?

Normal hair grows even during the telogen effluvium.

What are the fastest ways to cure telogen effluvium?

You can correct your nutritional deficiencies through the correct diet, you can go for gentle hair care, you need to manage your stress conditions, and you can also follow hormonal treatment therapy or medications to cute telogen effluvium.

Summary – Alopecia Areata vs. Telogen Effluvium

Hair loss or alopecia can affect just the scalp or the entire body. It can also be temporary or permanent. It can be a result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions and as a normal part of aging. Alopecia areata and telogen effluvium are two forms of hair loss. Alopecia areata is usually triggered by an autoimmune reaction, while a specific event usually triggers telogen effluvium. Moreover, men and women are equally affected by alopecia areata, whereas telogen effluvium usually affects women of 30 to 60 years of age. So, this summarizes the difference between alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.

Reference:

1.“Hair Loss Types: Alopecia Areata Overview.” American Academy of Dermatology.
2. “Telogen Effluvium.” – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Alopecia areata bald spot” By Kevlaraz – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Woman showing serious hair loss problem” By Marco Verch Professional Photographer (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr