Dermatology/ Hair Loss

Question 1

What is the most common cause of alopecia (hair loss)?

Answer 1

Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness)

Question 2

What are the approved treatment options for male pattern baldness?

Answer 2

• Topical minoxidil (rogaine) and finasteride (propecia)

Question 3

Can you use finasteride in women for treatment of male pattern baldness?

Answer 3

It is not approved by the FDA for hair loss in women. It is also pregnancy category X.

Question 4

Diffuse hair loss of mature, terminal hairs is most commonly caused by what condition?

Answer 4

Telogen effluvium

Question 5

What are some of the common risk factors for Telogen effluvium?

Answer 5

• stress
• weight loss
• major illness
• pregnancy
• traumatic events

Question 6

Loss of 80%-90% of growing hairs is usually due to what cause?

Answer 6

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (anagen effluvium)

Question 7

What are common causes of traumatic alopecia?

Answer 7

• mechanical traction (hairstyles, braids)
• trichotillomania (self-induced hair pulling)
• excess use of chemicals or heat for styling hair

Question 8

Smooth hair loss in discrete, round patches suggests what diagnosis?

Answer 8

Alopecia areata

Question 9

Alopecia areata is associated with what other conditions?

Answer 9

• thyroiditis
• vitiligo

Question 10

What are common causes of permanent destruction of hair follicle (scarring alopecia)?

Answer 10

• bullous disease
• discoid lupus erythematosus
• folliculitis
• lichen planopilaris

Question 11

Hair loss in a discrete patch with underlying scaling of the skin suggests what diagnosis?

Answer 11

Tinea capitis