Hair and Nail Issues

Question 1

Androgenetic alopecia

Answer 1

generalised hair loss caused by hyperresponsiveness to androgens

Question 2

Thyroid alopecia

Answer 2

hypothyroidism can cause generalised hair loss

Question 3

Iron deficiency alopecia

Answer 3

harm to hair follicles can cause generalised hair loss

Question 4

telogen effluvium

Answer 4

generalised hair loss due to stress, illness, childbirth, etc.

Question 5

trauma alopecia

Answer 5

scarring alopecia localised to area of injury

Question 6

CDLE alopecia

Answer 6

scarring alopecia localised to a certain area in a patient with lupus, treat with potent topical steroids, hydroxychloroquine and photoprotection

Question 7

kerion alopecia

Answer 7

dramatic immune response to fungal infection leading to abscesses and localised scarring alopecia

Question 8

tinea capitis

Answer 8

non-scarring alopecia due to a fungal infection, treat with oral antifungal agent

Question 9

alopecia areata

Answer 9

non-scarring alopecia caused by autoimmunity, treat with topical steroids, IL steroids and wigs

Question 10

hirsutism

Answer 10

excess hair growth in a male pattern in males or females, can be physiological or androgenic

Question 11

hypertrichosis

Answer 11

can be localised, caused by naevi, chronic inflammation/scarring, occult spina bifida, or generalised, malnutrition, anorexia, malignancy or drugs e.g. ciclosporin, phenytoin or minoxidil

Question 12

Beau’s line

Answer 12

caused by transient arrest in nail growth during stress/illness, affects all nails

Question 13

subungal hyperkeratosis

Answer 13

build-up of keratin under the nails, common in psoriasis

Question 14

acute paronychia

Answer 14

staph aureus or strep pyogenes

Question 15

chronic paronychia

Answer 15

candida

Question 16

tinea ungulis

Answer 16

subungal hyperkeratosis can occur, treat with topical antifungals or oral antifungals if resistant

Question 17

subungal haematoma

Answer 17

painful, can relieve pressure by draining if caught early, otherwise self-limiting

Question 18

Hutchinson’s sign

Answer 18

spreading pigmentation in malignant melanoma

Question 19

myxoid cyst

Answer 19

benign cyst often associated with osteoarthritis