TLDR Two siblings were found to have a genetic condition causing progressive hair loss and woolly hair, which may often be misdiagnosed.
In 2011, Khalid Al Aboud and Daifullah Al Aboud identified a new family with autosomal recessive hypotrichosis simplex (ARHS) with woolly hair, involving two female siblings from a Saudi family who experienced progressive hair loss from early childhood. Previous diagnoses of telogen effluvium and diffuse alopecia areata were ruled out as light microscopy showed no structural hair abnormalities and skin biopsies indicated normal hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The researchers concluded that the siblings had ARHS with woolly hair based on clinical and family history, suggesting the condition might be underdiagnosed. They emphasized the need for accurate diagnosis in hereditary hair loss disorders and acknowledged the lack of treatment for ARHS.
83 citations
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October 1998 in “The American Journal of Human Genetics” A specific gene mutation causes complete hair loss in an Irish Traveller family.
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January 1991 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica” A family had a genetic condition causing hair loss on the scalp, passed down through four generations.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” Understanding normal hair growth and loss in children is key to diagnosing and treating hair disorders.
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November 2008 in “Advances in Dermatology” The review highlights the importance of stem cells in hair health and suggests new treatment strategies for hair loss conditions.
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October 2014 in “Paediatrics and Child Health” The document concludes that proper diagnosis and management of hair loss in children require a detailed examination and understanding of various hair disorders.
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January 2019 in “Paediatrics and Child Health” The document concludes that understanding hair biology and recognizing hair conditions are crucial for managing and treating hair loss in children.