Introduction

• Uncommon syndrome characterized by widespread hair loss.
• Cause: stress → synchronization of anagen hair follicles into catagen.
• Signs: shedding of large numbers of telogen hairs 1-3 months later.
• Diagnosis: history, clinical signs, microscopy, histopathology.
• Treatment: none.
• Prognosis: excellent.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Major physiological stress, eg pyrexia, pregnancy, lactation, surgery, anesthesia, shock, severe illness.

Predisposing factors

• Major physiological stress.

Specific

• Pyrexia.
• Pregnancy.
• Lactation.
• Surgery.
• Anesthesia.
• Shock.
• Severe illness.

Pathophysiology

• Major metabolic stress → abrupt, premature cessation of growth of many anagen hair follicles → synchronization of these hair follicles in catagen → synchronization in telogen → new phase of follicular growth → shedding of large numbers of telogen hairs 1-3 months after stressful circumstance.

Timecourse

• Days to weeks.

Diagnosis

Outcomes