Hair shedding in women

Abstract

Conflict of interest: none declared. Coincident with a study of chronic telogen effluvium (CTE), we sought to estimate the frequency of excessive hair shedding within the female population, using a sample as representative of the female population as practicable. Women with naevi attending the dermatology department, female relatives of any hospital patient, and female staff at the hospital were asked to fill in a short questionnaire about their hair. It was emphasized that no previous history of hair problems was necessary. In total, 101 women (age range 18–66) completed the questionnaire. Of these, 30% (n = 30) gave a history of what they felt to be excessive hair shedding, and 49% of these reported that they had developed shedding before the age of 40 years (26/30 answered the question). The onset of hair shedding was described as abrupt by 60% of this group. In total, 85% reported that shedding was not attributable to any cause, while 15% attributed shedding to reasons including the post‐childbirth stage, stress and bereavement. Shedding was described as constant (25%), intermittent (50%) or occurring only once (11%). Most patients (86%) were on no medication.