This white bulb at end of hair is called a club hair, and it essentially is a hair that includes a bit of protein on the end of it that is supposed to root the hair to the scalp. When you lose a club hair, it just means that you have lost a piece of hair that is in the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle.
A white bulb at the end generally indicates that the hair is in the resting phase, and they a new hair has pushed it out (causing it to shed). This is the natural process of hair growth. A new one is simply taking its place.
"The white bulb at the end of the hair is keratin (or protein) and is the same keratin that makes up your skin and nails. A white bulb is not indicative of hair loss," said stylist Carrie Capalbo of Salon YOSHIKO. "It's part of the lining of the hair follicles.
Many of us, especially in cold and dry weather, may see white flakes falling from our hair and assume they are dandruff. Flakes from dry scalp are far more common than true dandruff. Dandruff is caused by overgrowth of a yeast (malassezia) present on most normal skin. Less washed hair can result in a more oily scalp.
White piedra is a superficial fungal infection of hair caused by Trichosporon species. It presents clinically as white nodules encasing the hair shafts and may lead to increased fragility.
Hair follicles are part of your skin that are responsible for growing your hair. If you accidentally pull out a strand of your hair and it has a ball (bulb) on the end of it, you didn't pull out the follicle, and instead, you removed your hair root. That root grows back and your hair will grow back, too.
Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss that affects people after they experience severe stress or a change to their body. Symptoms include thinning hair, usually around the top of your head. Treatment exists to reverse hair loss, but hair will typically grow back in three to six months without treatment.
The condition usually affects women over 40 years of age who complain of diffuse alopecia and may be misdiagnosed as having telogen effluvium, and has also been designated 'alopecia areata incognita' (yet another synonymous designation for the same condition proposed by Rebora [30] in 1987).
When hair is wet, it clumps together, making the amount of shed hair more noticeable. Additionally, hair that would naturally fall out during the day often comes loose when you wash it, making the shower a common place to see more shedding. For most people, this isn't cause for concern.
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.
Whether you call them flyaways or baby hairs, the new hair regrowth will be short and unmanageable until it reaches a length where it can blend easily with the rest of your hair. Even though this sign of telogen effluvium regrowth is annoying, it's an indication that your hair is moving in the right direction!
The main symptom of white piedra is the formation of clusters of tiny nodules along the hair shafts. These rock-like structures appear white, gray, or tan. The stone-like depositions are soft, gritty, and easy to remove.
So dead hair follicles can look like a smooth, bald patch of skin or like a scar. A trichologist may be able to get a better view of your follicles by using a microscope or other trichological tools.
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.
Can telogen effluvium be cured? Telogen effluvium usually resolves completely without any treatment over several months. The normal duration of telogen is approximately 100 days (3 to 6 months) after which period the hair starts growing again.
Vitamin D is essential for creating the cells that develop into hair follicles. It also supports healthy bones and your immune system. If you have hair loss and low vitamin D levels, your doctor may recommend vitamin D supplements.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), telogen effluvium (TE) are two common types of hair loss. Studies show that supplementing the diet with low levels of vitamin D can improve symptoms of these diseases. If a patient with AGA or TE has low iron levels (more commonly seen in females), supplementation is also recommended.
Most cases of Telogen Effluvium hair loss see significant improvement over the course of 6 to 9 months. Patients suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia hair loss, on the other hand, will usually see a worsening of hair density over a period of 12 months.
While there is no way to change the texture of the hair follicles, there are many ways to make the hair appear thicker and reduce breakage and hair loss, such as eating a nutritious diet and scalp massage. Thin or thinning hair is common and can affect anyone.
Losing a hair with a white bulb at the end of it is an indication that the hair was in the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. In order to better understand how your hair grows, develops and sheds, it's important to know the various phases of the hair growth cycle.
Massaging your scalp may seem too simple, but it can help stimulate the hair follicles and encourage growth. It works because it increases blood flow to the follicles, which can activate the dormant ones. Try performing a scalp massage for five minutes on yourself every day.
And remember, if you ever find yourself asking, “Can you squeeze an ingrown hair out?” the answer is a careful no—stick to safer, smarter solutions for your skin's sake.