Sudden shedding can be scary. One possible pattern, among several, is telogen effluvium. The idea is that stressors can shift more hairs into a resting phase, and weeks later you notice more shedding.
Common triggers
- Illness or fever
- Surgery or major health events
- Prolonged high stress and burnout
- Rapid weight loss or restrictive dieting
- Long periods of poor sleep
When to get assessed
- Shedding is heavy and continues for months
- Patchy loss or scalp pain
- New symptoms such as fatigue or feeling unwell
- Distress is high
