TLDR Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of hair loss.
This case report discusses a 49-year-old African American woman with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) who was initially treated with corticosteroids but showed worsening symptoms. A subsequent biopsy revealed a concomitant infection with Trichophyton tonsurans, leading to a diagnosis of tinea incognito. The patient was then treated with oral terbinafine, resulting in marked improvement. This case highlights the importance of considering multiple etiologies in patients with hair loss, especially when they do not respond to standard treatments, and underscores the need for accurate diagnosis to avoid exacerbating conditions with inappropriate therapies.
65 citations,
November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The document concludes that early recognition and treatment of primary cicatricial alopecia is crucial to prevent permanent hair loss.
10 citations,
January 2016 in “Dermatology online journal” Adults with persistent scalp issues unresponsive to typical treatments should be tested for the fungal infection tinea capitis to start the right antifungal medication.
19 citations,
January 2015 in “Skin appendage disorders” The report found a new type of hair loss in African-American women that affects more areas of the scalp than previously thought.
170 citations,
December 2009 in “Histopathology” The conclusion is that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires good teamwork between skin doctors and lab experts.
21 citations,
February 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Some cases of tinea capitis, a fungal scalp infection, can look like scarring hair loss due to the body's immune response and the fungus itself.
13 citations,
June 2020 in “International Journal of Dermatology” A rare scalp condition mainly in older women can be treated with various alternatives to steroids, which may have fewer side effects.
