What is Drug-Induced Alopecia?
Drug-induced alopecia is hair loss caused by medications. The two main types are anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium causes actively growing hairs to shed, while telogen effluvium causes resting hairs to shed.
Who is at risk?
It is most common in children and young adults under the age of 30. However, it can affect anyone regardless of age and gender.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Drug-induced alopecia typically presents as diffuse, nonscarring hair loss. It can also appear as patterned hair loss. Anagen effluvium can cause hair to appear tapered or broken and hair loss is noticeable within days to weeks. Telogen effluvium hair loss is typically noticeable after 2-4 months. The scalp is the most commonly affected area, but anagen effluvium caused by chemotherapy can affect all body hair.