Frictional alopecia
| Frictional alopecia | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dermatology |
Frictional alopeciais theloss of hairthat is caused by rubbing of the hair, follicles, or skin around the follicle.[1]The most typical example of this is the loss of ankle hair among people who wear socks constantly for years.[2]The hair may not grow back even years after the source of friction has ended.
Signs and symptoms[edit]
Frictional alopecia causeshair losssecondary to frequent rubbing of the hair.[3]
Causes[edit]
Frictional alopecia is a non-scarringalopeciathat may result from something rubbing against the hairs or from a self-inflicted tic disorder.[3]
Friction alopecia, when self-inflicting, is called trichoteiromania, a psychiatric condition marked by obsessive hair rubbing.[4]
Friction alopecia can be brought on by something rubbing against hairs repeatedly. It has been reported in the distribution of socks and shoes on the lower extremities of men,[5]on the back of the lower extremities from water slides,[6]in gymnasts performing head stands and rollovers on the balance beam,[7]and in a jogger with a tight-banded headphone on her scalp.[8]
When no frictional etiology can be identified, associations with peripheral nerve disease, thyroid dysfunction, andandrogenetic alopeciahave been proposed.[9][10]
Diagnosis[edit]
Histology reveals no abnormal alterations.[11]Alopecia areatais a significant differential diagnosis. It is possible to distinguish between the two entities usingdermoscopy.[12]
Treatment[edit]
Reassurance and avoiding the trigger factor are part of the treatment for frictional alopecia.[12]
References[edit]
- ^Olberding, Matt."What Causes Hair to Fall Off Your Legs?".livestrong.
- ^Jakhar, Deepak; Kaur, Ishmeet (2 October 2018)."Frictional (Sock) Alopecia of the Legs: Trichoscopy as an Aid".International Journal of Trichology.10(3): 129–130.doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_96_17.PMC6029005.PMID30034193.
- ^abFowler, Emilie; Tosti, Antonella (2019)."A Case of Friction Alopecia in a Healthy 15-Year-Old Girl".Skin Appendage Disorders.5(2): 97–99.doi:10.1159/000490712.ISSN2296-9195.PMC6388551.PMID30815442.
- ^Banky, Jeremy P; Sheridan, Adam T; Dawber, Rodney PR (2004-07-13). "Weathering of hair in trichoteiromania".Australasian Journal of Dermatology.45(3). Wiley: 186–188.doi:10.1111/j.1440-0960.2004.00087.x.ISSN0004-8380.PMID15250901.S2CID38743534.
- ^Zhao, Johnny; Cohen, Philip R (August 2016). "Frictional alopecia of the distal legs: case series and review".Dermatology Online Journal.22(6): 13030.doi:10.5070/D3228032179.PMID27617943.
- ^Adams, B B (May 2001). "Water-slide alopecia".Cutis.67(5): 399–400.PMID11381856.
- ^Ely, P. Haines (1978-06-01). "Balance Beam Alopecia".Archives of Dermatology.114(6): 968.doi:10.1001/archderm.1978.01640180098043.ISSN0003-987X.PMID666348.
- ^Copperman, Stuart M. (1984-12-28). "Two New Causes of Alopecia".JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.252(24): 3367.doi:10.1001/jama.1984.03350240017021.ISSN0098-7484.PMID6502902.
- ^Harries, MatthewJ; Siah, TeeWei (2014)."Anterolateral leg alopecia: Common but commonly ignored".International Journal of Trichology.6(2). Medknow: 75–76.doi:10.4103/0974-7753.138595.ISSN0974-7753.PMC4154156.PMID25191043.
- ^Srinivas, SahanaM; Sacchidanand, S; Jagannathan, Balaji (2016)."Anterolateral leg alopecia".International Journal of Trichology.8(1). Medknow: 49–50.doi:10.4103/0974-7753.179402.ISSN0974-7753.PMC4830179.PMID27127383.
- ^Sharquie, Khalifa E.; Al-Rawi, Jamal R; Al-Janabi, Hassan A (2002). "Frictional Hair Loss in Iraqi Patients".The Journal of Dermatology.29(7). Wiley: 419–422.doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2002.tb00297.x.ISSN0385-2407.PMID12184639.S2CID37002393.
- ^abJakhar, Deepak; Kaur, Ishmeet (2018)."Frictional (Sock) alopecia of the legs: Trichoscopy as an aid".International Journal of Trichology.10(3). Medknow: 129–130.doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_96_17.ISSN0974-7753.PMC6029005.PMID30034193.
Further reading[edit]
- Verma, Shyam; Jakhar, Deepak (2024)."Post Herpetic Itch Leading to Frictional Alopecia of Eyebrow and Scalp-A Hitherto Undescribed Phenomenon".Indian Dermatology Online Journal.15(1). Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications: 86–88.doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_25_23.PMC10810396.PMID38282999.
- Hsieh, Chang-Yu; Tsai, Tsen-Fang (2023-08-01). "Friction-Induced Skin Disorders—A Review".Dermatitis.34(4): 278–286.doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000934.ISSN1710-3568.PMID35951433.S2CID251494692.