Question title
Methodology: Features mapped to commonly taught clinical patterns. Non-diagnostic.
Key references
- AGA pattern distributions. Classic Norwood/Hamilton (masculine patterns) and Ludwig (feminine patterns) descriptions of vertex, frontal and part-line thinning.
- Diffuse vs patterned loss. Distinction between global telogen shedding and patterned miniaturisation to separate AGA from TE and mixed pictures.
- Trigger latency. Telogen effluvium latency of roughly 2–3 months after major physiological or psychological stressors, illness, surgery or rapid weight change.
- Autoimmune features. Patch distribution, “exclamation mark” hairs, nail pitting and eyebrow involvement when considering alopecia areata.
- Traction-related changes. Hairline and margin involvement in chronic tension hairstyles, including the possibility of reversibility when traction is reduced early.
- Endocrine influences. Role of thyroid dysfunction in diffuse telogen shedding, and interaction with other systemic illnesses.
- Nutritional and iron factors. How iron stores, calorie restriction and restrictive diets may influence shedding in susceptible individuals, and why supplementation should be individualised.
- Postpartum and hormonal shifts. Postpartum telogen shedding patterns and the impact of hormonal contraception or withdrawal on the hair cycle.
- Scarring vs non-scarring. The importance of early recognition of potential scarring features to guide in-person assessment, biopsy and imaging when appropriate.