15.1.1 Anagen Effluvium: Overview
- Anagen effluvium is the release of the hair while still in its anagen (growing) phase. The hair doesn’t go through its regular cycle of catagen and telogen before being released.
- Anagen effluvium occurs rapidly, often between 2-4 weeks after the ‘causation trigger’ occurs.
- This disturbance to the hair follicle can lead to a weakened segment of the hair shaft that is more susceptible to breakage, and can also result in the hair not growing at all.
- The hair papilla itself may also become damaged, causing the hairs to separate at the bulb and fall out.
- Anagen effluvium also occurs with alopecia areata, as the result of inflammation in the hair papilla.