Alopecia
Background
- Alopecia is defined as hair loss [1]
Clinical Features
Alopecia areata, one type of alopecia.
- Hair loss
- The pattern of hair loss can help determine diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
- Alopecia areata
- Lupus
- Trauma - Burns, Direct Trauma
- Syphilis
- Hair pulling - Trichotillomania
- Tinea Capitis
- Radiation
- Oncologic
- Male pattern baldness
- Stress - Telogen effluvium
- Trichotillomania
Evaluation
- Careful history and physical
- Mostly clinical diagnosis
Management
- Treat the underlying cause
- Tinea treated with either topical or systemic antifungals
- Dermatology referral especially for cicatrial alopecia (inflammatory disorders of scalp that lead to permanent hair loss)
- Psych referral for trichotillomania
Disposition
- Per underlying cause where acute radiation syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, and burns may require admission
- Discharge with appropriate referral
See Also
External Links
References
- Greenberg, M et al. Greenberg's Text Atlas of Emergency Medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2005. 442
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