Dermatology Flashcards
how does female pattern hair loss present?
diffuse reduction in the density of the hair over the crown and frontal scalp, and widening pf the central parting, with retention of the frontal hair line
how common is female pattern hair loss?
over 10% of premenopausal women have some evidence of hair loss, and it affects up to 56% of woman up to the age of 70 years old
what are the four phases of the hair growth cycle?
Anogen
Catagen
Telogen
Anogen restart/ exogen phase
What happens in the anagen hair growth phase?
most active phase of the cycle, hair grows around 1-2cm per year
hair follicles are actively producing new hair cells - called keratinocytes
lasts 3-6 years
what happens in the catagen hair growth phase?
transitional phase - hair growth slows and reduces by around 50%, and may even stop, lasting 2-4 weeks
what happens in the telogen hair growth phase?
hair growth stops completely but the hair remains in situ, this lasts 3-6 months. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out, and new hair replaces it.
what happens during the exogen phase of the hair cycle?
hair strands are released from their hair follicles - known as shedding
this can last 2-5 months
around 50 - 100 hairs fall out during this time - this is normal
how can the differentials for hair loss in women be characterised?
non-scarring alopecia
scarring alopecia
other causes
what are some non-scarring alopecia differentials for hair loss in women?
alopecia areata
telogen effluvium
traction alopecia
trichotilomania
syphillis
what are some scarring alopecia differentials for hair loss in women?
frontal firbosing alopecia
tinea capitis
discoid lupus erythematous
lichen planopilaris
dermatomyositis
what are some other causes of hair loss in women?
endocrine - hypothyroidism, PCOS, hyperprolactinaemia
iron deficiency anaemia
vit D deficiency
poor nutritional status
medications
what is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is a presumed chronic, autoimmune condition causing localised, well demarcated patches of hair loss. At the edge of the hair loss, there may be small, broken ‘exclamation mark’ hairs.
This is where there is hair loss, but the follicles of the hair themselves are usually preserved.
which areas are most commonly affected in alopecia areata?
any hair-bearing skin - most commonly the scalp, beard, and less frequently the eyebrows and eyelashes
what is the pathophysiology of alopecia areata?
the hair follows are prematurely converted from the anagen (active growth phase) to the telogen phase (hair loss phase). The exact cause for this is unknown, however is thought to be autoimmune.
what is the prognosis of alopecia areata?
spontaneous remission within 1 year is seen in up to half of affected people
but most people do experience repeated episodes after remission
management options for alopecia areata in GP?
if there is evidence of hair re-growth then no treatment is needed
if no hair regrowth, then consider trial of topical corticosteroid such as betamethasone validate 0.1%, or a vert potent corticosteroid such as clobetasol propionate 0.05% - for 3 months total.
offer referral to dermatology - if diagnosis is uncertain, if child, pregnant or breastfeeding, if hair loss not responding to treatment, if corticosteroids contraindicated or pt declines but still wishes for medical management
what are the management options for alopecia areata in dermatology?
intralesional corticosteroids
oral corticosteroids
topical immunotherapy
topical minoxidil
biological agents/immunosurpressive drugs
what is telogen effluvium?
common condition characterised by excessive shedding of telogen hair - usually occurs around 3 months after a triggering event and is self-limiting lasting around 6 months
what are some triggers for telogen effluvium?
childbirth
severe infection
excessive diets
major surgery
drug treatment i.e. chemotherapy, antidepressants, anticoagulants
what is traction alopecia?
type of hair loss caused by constant pulling of hair in high tension hairstyles
what is trichotilomania?
a psychiatric condition in which people pull their hair out. It may be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder and is more common in women than in men.
what is frontal fibrosing alopecia?
hair loss specifically around the frontal region of the scalp, caused by inflammation which destroys the hair follicle replacing it with permanent scarring.
who is usually affected by frontal fibrosing alopecia?
post-menopausal women
what condition if frontal fibrosing alopecia associated with?
lichen planopilaris
what is the management of frontal fibrosing alopecia?
there is not cure however topical treatments such as oral steroids, intralesional steroidsd injections and anti-inflammatory antibiotics such as tetracyclines can be trialled.
what is tinea capitis?
fungal infection of the scalp - ringworm of the scalp
what causes tinea capitis?
tinea capitis is caused by dermatophytic fungi capable of invading keratinised tissue, such as the hair and nails. While over 40 different species of dermatophytes are known to exist, only a small number are associated with tinea capitis
is tinea capitis contagious?
yes - advised to inform the school, and other family members to also present for examination / consideration of treatment if needed.
Children should be allowed to attend school or nursery once treatment with an oral antifungal medication and a medicated shampoo has been started
management of tinea capitis?
4 month course of oral anti fungal agents such as terbinafine, irtaconazole and fluconazole - in adults
Griseofulvin - in paediatrics
how does tinea capitis present?
areas of scaling, grey patches with hair loss in the scalp
what is discoid lupus erythematous?
chronic condition characterised by persistent scaly plaques on the scalp, face, and ears which subsequently can progress to scarring, atrophy, dyspigmentation, and permanent hair loss in affected hair-bearing areas.
what is lichen planopilaris?
disease associated with lichen plants, which affects the hair follicles. It results in patchy, progressive permanent hair loss mainly on the scalp.
what does lichen planopilaris look like?
smooth white patches of scalp loss. No hair follicles can be seen in this area, and scaling can surround each hair follicle at the edges of these patches.
what is the management of lichen planopilaris?
corticosteroids - oral, topical, intralesional
topical tacrolimus
topical monoxidil
tetracylcine i.e doxycycline
what investigations should be carried out for female pattern hair loss?
thyroid function test
FBC
vitamin D
ferritin
If there are any features of androgen excess - (i.e. excessive facial hair or body hair, severe acne) -> can order free androgen index ( on day 2-5 of cycle, 2 months off of COCP), and prolactin level
Management of female pattern hair loss?
Consider minoxidil 2% topical solution - OTC - explain that the onset and degree of hair loss in unpredictable
Trial of this for 6 months, if no response then consider referring to dermatologist
what is the male pattern hair loss (or androgenetic alopecia)?
genetically determined, patterned, progressive hair loss from the scalp - usually involving the front and sides of the scalp initially, then progresses towards the back of the head
what is the cause of male pattern hair loss?
dihydrotestosterone (a testosterone metabolite) - binds to the andorgen receptor and activates genes responsible for the shortening of the anagen (hair growth) phase. This gradually transforms the hair from large terminal hair follicles to miniaturised follicles.
differentials for male pattern hair loss?
telogen effluvium
alopecia areata
syphillis
traction alopecia
trichotillomania
tinea wapitis
discoid lupus erythematous
dermatomyositis
endocrine - hypothyroidism
iron deficiency anaemia
vit D deficiency
medications
Investigations for male pattern hair loss?
usually no bloods needed however if suspected deficiency can order -
FBC, TFT, ferritin and vit D
Management of male pattern hair loss?
if the man prefers drug treatment -
- minoxidil 5% solution or foam
- finasteride 1mg tablets
these are not available on the NHS, but can be accessed through private prescriptions
how does finasteride work for hair loss?
inhibits the expression of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which regulates the production of dihydrotestosterone. This lowers the levels of DHT, which reduces its harmful effect on hair follicles.