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The body's main stress hormone. Sustained high cortisol from severe physical or emotional stress can push many follicles into the resting phase, triggering
Key termsTelogen effluvium
The body's main stress hormone. Sustained high cortisol from severe physical or emotional stress can push many follicles into the resting phase, triggering telogen effluvium — diffuse shedding 2-3 months later. It is reversible once the stressor eases; it does not cause genetic pattern baldness.
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Not medical advice. General education only; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Consult a board-certified dermatologist before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
⚠️ When to see a doctor — don’t self-treat
- Sudden patchy or circular bald spots
- Redness, scaling, pus, pain or itch (possible scarring alopecia — treat urgently)
- Broken hairs or rapid loss
- Loss with body-wide signs (weight loss, fatigue, cycle changes, acne, extra hair)
- Loss right after a new medication
- Any hair loss in a child