MadSci Network: Anatomy |
Dear Hector, Your topic is an interesting one and also complicated. As you probably have already researched hair loss can be attributed to a number different factors from genetics to environment. The correlation between stress and hair loss is suspected. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology website (http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/telogen_effluvium.html), it is normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day. Telogen is the name for the resting stage of the hair growth cycle. A telogen effluvium is when some stress causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic. If there is some "shock to the system", as many as 70% of the scalp hairs are then shed in large numbers about 2 months after the "shock". This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as the hair coming out in handfuls, is acute telogen effluvium. This is a different problem than gradual genetic hair thinning. However, this can be seen in the less common chronic telogen effluvium, only after a significant amount of hair has already been lost. When I did an article search for the topic, what I found is that results of many studies are inconclusive. Stress as a result of illness can be attributed to hair loss however, this could be a cause and effect issue. Hair loss as a result of illness is common and definitely during times of illness your body is undergoing a lot of stress. To help you on your report, I have found a number of reviews that you can use: Angelo Picardi and Damiano Abeni (2001) Stressful Life Events and Skin Diseases: Disentangling Evidence from Myth. Vol. 70, No. 3 angelo.picardi@flashnet.it Garcia-Hernandez MJ, Ruiz-Doblado S, Rodriguez-Pichardo A, Camacho F. J Dermatol. (1999) "Alopecia areata, stress and psychiatric disorders: a review." Oct;26(10):625-32. Jaworsky C, Gilliam AC (1999) "Immunopathology of the human hair follicle" Dermatol Clin. Jul;17(3):561-8. Van Neste D, Tobin DJ. (2004) "Hair cycle and hair pigmentation: dynamic interactions and changes associated with aging," Micron. 35(3):193-200. Good luck! Elsa
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