Female pattern alopecia and telogen effluvium: figuring out diffuse alopecia

Abstract

Diffuse hair loss in women causes a significant impact on quality of life, reduces self-esteem, and increases stress. One of the major challenges when evaluating patients with diffuse hair loss is to determine whether you are dealing with either female pattern alopecia, telogen effluvium, or both, as they can coexist. Establishing the correct diagnosis is mandatory for optimal patient care. This article will highlight how to distinguish between and properly manage these 2 conditions.

Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; dermoscopy; female pattern hair loss; finasteride; hair loss; minoxidil; telogen effluvium; trichoscopy.