Telogen Effluvium Explained in Simple Urdu-English

Short answer: telogen effluvium (TE) is a temporary type of hair fall in which many hairs enter the resting phase at the same time after a shock to the body, and then fall out about two to three months later. Common triggers in Pakistan include typhoid, dengue, COVID, delivery, surgery, crash diets and major stress. Hair usually wapas aa jaate hain within six to nine months. You can't stop hairs that are already shedding, but you can support healthy regrowth.

Hair ka cycle: simple explanation

Har baal ek cycle mein hota hai, and every hair on your head is at its own stage:

1. Anagen (growth phase): the hair grows for two to seven years. Normally about 85 to 90% of hairs are here.
2. Catagen (transition): a short phase of a few weeks.
3. Telogen (rest phase): the hair rests for about three months, then falls out, and a new hair starts growing in the same follicle.

So losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. Those are telogen hairs finishing their cycle.

What happens in telogen effluvium

Jab body ko koi bara jhatka lagta hai (high fever, a big operation, delivery, severe stress or sudden weight loss), many growing hairs suddenly switch to the rest phase together. Instead of 10%, maybe 30% or more of your hairs are resting.

About two to three months later, all those resting hairs fall out at once. That's why:

• the hair fall starts after the trigger, often when you feel better
• it comes from all over the scalp
• it can feel like handfuls in the shower

Common triggers in Pakistan

How to recognise TE

• Hair fall started roughly two to three months after a trigger
• It comes from all over the head, not in patches
• Fallen hairs have a small white bulb at the root
• Your scalp looks healthy
• A gentle "pull test" (lightly pulling a small bunch of hair) brings out more hairs than usual

A dermatologist can confirm this with an examination and sometimes blood tests.

How long does it last?

• Acute TE: shedding lasts up to about six months, and full recovery takes six to nine months or so.
• Chronic TE: shedding continues for longer than six months. This is less common, more frequent in women, and worth investigating with a doctor.

Baal girna kaise band kare?

Honest answer: hairs that are already in the resting phase will fall, whatever you do. What you can do is:

1. Remove ongoing triggers. Finish recovering, eat properly and manage stress.
2. Fix deficiencies. Ask your doctor about CBC, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and thyroid tests.
3. Eat enough protein: anda, daal, chicken, fish, dahi.
4. Be gentle with combing and styling.
5. Wait. New hairs are already growing behind the shedding ones.

What not to do

• Panic-buy multiple products
• Take high-dose supplements without a test
• Do harsh chemical treatments while hair is fragile
• Crash diet "to feel better"
• Stop prescribed medicines without asking your doctor

Does TE cause baldness?

No. TE doesn't destroy follicles. You won't go bald from telogen effluvium alone. However, a TE episode can make existing genetic thinning more noticeable. If your hair doesn't fully recover, especially in a pattern, see a dermatologist.

Emotional side

Seeing so much hair fall is genuinely distressing. Many people feel anxious, and that stress can feel like a cycle. Knowing that TE is temporary helps. Take monthly photos so you can see recovery instead of counting hairs every day.

See a doctor if…

• Shedding lasts more than six months
• You notice bald patches, or a widening parting or receding hairline
• Your scalp is itchy, red, scaly or painful
• You have other symptoms, such as tiredness, weight change or irregular periods
• You can't identify any trigger

Bottom line

Telogen effluvium is the body's delayed reaction to a shock. It's common, temporary and usually recovers within six to nine months. Support your body, check for deficiencies, be patient, and see a doctor if it lasts longer or looks patchy.