Why is my hair shedding with a white bulb at the end?

Sudden hair shedding or thinning, especially when accompanied by a white bulb at the end of the hair, is often due to a condition called telogen effluvium. The white bulb indicates that the hair was in the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. Normally, about 10-15% of your hair is in this phase, but with telogen effluvium, up to around 70% of your anagen hair (hair that is actively growing) may enter the resting phase and fall out prematurely.

Common triggers for this increased shedding include:

• Physical or emotional stress, such as illness, surgery, or trauma
• Hormonal changes, like those after childbirth or during menopause
• Sudden weight loss or significant changes in diet
• Low iron levels
• Certain medications that affect hair growth, such as beta blockers and retinoids

While hair shedding may occur 1-6 months after a trigger, it typically occurs 3 months after. You may notice more hair coming out in the shower, in your brush, or on your pillow. It is normal to lose 100 hairs per day, but during telogen effluvium the number of hairs lost increases. Most people do not have any other symptoms during the time of hair loss.

Although it can be alarming to see more hair with white bulbs, this condition is usually temporary. Once the underlying cause is resolved, hair typically regrows, and most people regain their usual hair density within a few months. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about how much hair you are losing so they can help you determine the cause.