Varicella zoster virus (VZV) cutaneous infection occurs predominantly in epidermal and infundibular keratinocytes and accessorily in dermal dendritic cells. These latter cells play a role in cicatricial processes. Two patients are presented with localized alopecia after VZV infection. A 4-year-old girl presented localized hair loss affecting about 20% of her upper right eyelash immediately foll...

1916), believed that whitening of hair was related to pigment absorbed and carried away by phagocytes he observed in the vicinity of dystrophic hair follicles and called ‘pigmentophages’ [9] . In 1981, Guin et al. [10] reported a lady whose hair turned white over 3 months with hair thinning but no patches of alopecia. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated immune deposits along the follicular ...

Although most paediatric hair loss presenting to clinicians is due to alopecia areata, unusual patterns should prompt a careful history.

In most of mammals, hair plays a very important role and protects them against physical forces, defends them against parasites and UV rays, provides heat conservation, and acts as a sensory organ. During the process of evolution, human hair lost these essential life-supporting functions. Human hair is now viewed as an object of aesthetic interest. However, androgenetic alopecia (male pattered h...

A modified double blind crossover study was performed to assess the effect of 1% topical minoxidil as compared with placebo in 30 patients with alopecia areata and alopecia totalis. The active preparation produced a highly significant incidence of hair regrowth. A cosmetically acceptable response was noted in 16 patients. No side effects were seen. The study confirmed that topical minoxidil wil...

OBJECTIVE To correlate the histopathological features of alopecia areata with clinical stage by means of transverse sectioned scalp biopsy specimens, in terms of extent and duration of disease. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Kharian Cantonment, Pakistan, from January 2002 to December 2004. PATIENTS AND METHO...

Background: Alopecia is a possible adverse reaction to Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors. This side effect has become more recognized in recent years through FDA postmarketing surveillance and it description in case reports/case series. Objective: We review the literature and summarize the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, prognosis, and management strategies for TNF-α inhibitor...

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a descriptive term for a scalp condition that is convoluted folds and deep furrows that resemble the surface of the cerebral cortex. It is categorized by the underlying etiology, as primary essential, primary non-essential and secondary. Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, organ specific autoimmune disease, and most AA cases are sporadic. There is clearly a strong g...

Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are the most common autoimmune thyroid diseases. Hypothyroidism can develop in patients with Graves' disease, either spontaneously or as a result of radioactive iodine therapy or surgery. However, it is rare for patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis to subsequently develop Graves' disease. We report a case of alopecia areata associated with Graves' di...

Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities of the X chromosome. An association with many autoimmune diseases is described as well as skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo and alopecia areata. Trachyonychia is characterized by irregular opaque appearance on the nail plate of all 20 nails. It may be idiopathic or it can be associated with other dermatological disease...