Hair loss. Common congenital and acquired causes.

Hair loss is a common problem likely to be encountered by a clinical practitioner. The most frequent causes of hair loss in pediatric patients include tinea capitis, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, and trichotillomania. In the adult population, causes to be considered are alopecia areata and hair loss associated with systemic disease and hormonal influence. The clinician must be able to separate the types and causes of hair loss into those that reflect primary dermatologic conditions and those that represent reaction to systemic disease.

Frictional hair loss in Iraqi patients.

A total of 50 Iraqi male patients with frictional hair loss were studied. Their ages ranged from 27-55 years with a mean +/- SD of 40.60 +/- 7.82 years. The age of onset ranged from 26-50 years with a mean +/- SD of 38 +/- 7.3 years. The duration of disease was 1-5 years, mean +/- SD 2.2 +/- 1.3. Middle age was the most common age group affected. Patterns of hair loss were as follows; bilateral thighs & legs 13 (26%), bilateral thighs alone in 9 patients (18%), bilateral shins & calves (legs) in 4 patients (8%), abdomen alone in 8 patients (16%), thigh and abdomen 4 (8%) patients, legs & abdomen 4 (8%) patients, and all sites in 12 patients (24%). The pattern of patchy hair loss showed some etiological preference. It was found to be due to continuous pressure from socks, trousers and bed. Skin biopsies from five patients showed apparently normal histology. Twenty-six (52%) of the cases were healthy. There were no important medical or dermatological associations, such as alopecia areata or peripheral neuropathy in any patient although unrelated medical conditions were seen in 24 (48%). To the best of our knowledge, this type of patchy hair loss has attracted very little attention in the past, and the literature appeared to be deficient in references to this problem.

Study of the effect of vinblastine on hair growth in rats

In the trichological studies on the model of Wistar rats aged 4-5 weeks intraperitoneal vinblastine in doses of 0.008-0.030 mg/100 g of body weight caused initially mixed (dystrophic-telogenic) hair loss. After higher doses and longer drug administration the mechanism of hair loss was transformed to dystrophic. In both forms of hair loss signs of advanced diffuse alopecia were found.

Hormonal diagnosis in so-called androgenetic alopecia in the female

Androgenetic alopecia (a.A.) occurs quite frequently. Up to 79% of women suffer at least temporarily from varying degrees of intermittent diffuse hair loss in the centro-parietal and/or fronto-temporal regions. A.A. is caused by an androgen excess acting on the hair follicle for prolonged periods of time in the presence of a genetic predisposition. However, often hyperandrogenemia cannot be demonstrated in such patients. 125 women with clinically typical a.A. were investigated prospectively under standardized conditions. Patient age ranged from 18 to 68 years (mean +/- SD: 34 +/- 11.6). Atypical uterine bleeding such as menorrhagia, hypermenorrhea and polymenorrhea were found in 69 women. The hair loss varied between 50 and 400 hairs per day (124 +/- 125). Additional signs of hyperandrogenism, i.e. seborrhea (n = 83), acne (n = 52) and hirsutism (n = 28), were often observed. Basal levels of total and free testosterone (T and FT), dihydro-T (DHT) DHEA-sulfate (DS), delta 4-androstendione (A), 17 alpha-hydroxy-progesterone (17P), cortisol (F), progesterone (P), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding globuline (SHBG), prolactin (PRL), thyreoidea-stimulating hormone (TSH), ferritin (Fe), vitamin B12 (B12) and folat (Fo) were determined by RIA. FT was also measured by equilibrium dialyses. Different methods of determining bound and unbound T were used; their diagnostic value is discussed in detail. In addition, a combined ACTH/TRH-stimulation test was performed in all patients. Pathologic changes of one parameter were detectable in 26.4% of patients, while 67.2% revealed deviations of two or more indices. Excluding clinically relevant borderline values, only 6.4% of patients were without any abnormalities. The incidence rate of pathologic parameters was as follows: FT in % = 52%, Fe = 42%, PRL = 34%, E2 = 34%, FT in pg = 29%, DHT = 28%, SHBG = 26%, TSH = 20.8%, DS = 19%, T = 14%, 17P = 11%, Fo = 7%, A = 6%, F = 6%, B12 = 5%. Group and individual case analyses revealed significant correlations between (1) the levels of the various androgens, PRL and TSH and (2) the E2, SHBG and FT values; these, in turn, were correlated to (3) the occurrence of certain bleeding anomalies (amount, duration, interval) and corresponding ferritin deficiency. Therapy was directed at normalizing the disturbed estrogen-androgen-balance. Using low-dose antiandrogens, estrogens, prolactin suppressants, corticoids, iron-II-preparations as well as estrogen-containing hair lotions hair loss was arrested in 74 of 104 treated women, while regrowth of hair was accomplished in 16 patients. 14 women did not respond to therapy.