Telogen Effluvium is characterized by sudden, diffuse hair loss caused by an interruption in the normal hair growth cycle. This interruption is often the result of trauma, such as chemotherapy, childbirth, major surgery, severe stress, and severe chronic illness. This trauma causes large numbers of hair follicles to enter a stage of telogen, or rest, simultaneously. After roughly 3 months of the telogen cycle the follicles will enter the anagen cycle, a stage of growth. The old hair will be forced out of the follicle by a new hair that is formed beneath it. This will cause a period of diffuse hair shedding. This condition is usually self correcting.