Circulation, Sensation, and Hair Growth: A Reply
April 2022
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
androgenetic alopecia AGA scalp neuropathy Aβ fibers A∂ fibers hair follicles sensory modalities leprosy diabetes hair growth circulation nervous system histamine response skin sensation monofilaments antiandrogens minoxidil androgenic alopecia hair loss nerve fibers hair roots sensation blood flow histamine reaction skin feeling Rogaine
TLDR The document suggests that nerve issues might contribute to hair loss and that testing sensation could predict these nerve problems.
The document discusses the connection between scalp neuropathy and androgenetic alopecia (AGA), suggesting that hair follicles' innervation by Aβ fibers and A∂ fibers could be involved in hair loss. The authors argue that testing for abnormalities in sensory modalities is a better predictor of neuropathy than symptoms. They draw an analogy between hair loss in AGA, leprosy, and diabetes, based on the theory that there is a link between hair growth/circulation and the nervous system. They refute the idea that comparing AGA to leprosy is stigmatizing, stating that all medical conditions should be viewed without judgment. For future research, they plan to evaluate histamine response, perform mapping of skin sensation by monofilaments, and record changes in scalp neuropathy with/without specific AGA therapy using antiandrogens or minoxidil.
