A small white bulb at the end of a fallen hair by itself is not a cause for concern. It simply indicates that the follicle has gone through different stages of the growth cycle before falling off the strand. Although this is a normal process (even in the absence of any type of hair loss disorder), the white bulb is not usually seen until the shedding becomes excessive – someone prompting them to check for fallen wires.
If a disorder is suspected, examination of the bulb can provide professionals with clues about the type and cause of the disorder. The size, shape and color will determine what stage of the growth cycle the hair was in before falling out; and if any abnormalities are present.
The first phase of the cycle, the period of active growth, is called anagen. During this time the hair is firmly implanted deep within the follicle. A firm, forceful pluck will be required to remove anagen hair from a healthy scalp. The tip will reveal a small round or slightly elongated, pigmented bulb that may be surrounded by a gelatinous sac-like enclosure.
After each individual hair has reached its full growth potential, the follicle is known as “catagen”. Although catagen lasts only one to two weeks, many changes occur during this time that prepare for the formation of the white bulb. The lower follicle shrinks. The original inner cover disappears. The pigmentation ends. Cellular material (such as the outer root sheath) that is no longer needed to sustain growth begins to migrate to the base of the strand.
Once all catagen changes have taken place, the follicle enters what is called “telogen”. In early telogen any remaining cells that are no longer needed migrate to the base of the hair. Because pigmentation is gone, these cells will be non-pigmented. These nonpigmented cells cluster together to form “the mysterious white bulb that acts as an anchor to hold the hair in the follicle while it rests” for about three months before being released. The telogen phase is also known as the resting period. ,
Any hair that is attached to a white bulb indicates that it has cycled through the telogen phase before falling out. Because of the shape, these strands are also called club hairs. This feature will be present in normal daily shading. Unless the flow is excessive, there is no cause for concern.
The most common condition that causes excessive shedding with a white bulb is telogen effluvium. Because any follicle can be affected at any stage of the development cycle, fallen strands can be of various lengths.
Hair with alopecia areata often falls out during the telogen phase, but in some cases it may fall out or break off during anagen. Affected strings may have an “exclamation mark appearance”. A small section of the strand at the level of the scalp becomes very thin, giving the appearance of an exclamation point. Because at this time the hair is very thin and can also break. Although the most common form of alopecia areata causes bald patches, there are other variations of the condition that cause other, more severe patterns of baldness.
The absence of a visible white bulb may indicate that the hair fell out during the anagen phase, as in loose anagen syndrome or anagen effluvium. It may also indicate that it broke rather than fell.
The size, shape, color and position of the bulb can provide valuable diagnostic information for examining hair loss professionals.
Source by Melanie Vonzabuesnig
