An Unusual Compulsive Behavior Related to Scalp Psoriasis and Hair Follicle Anxiety in Young Men

August 2025 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”

Ramón Grimalt

scalp psoriasis hair follicle androgenetic alopecia body-focused repetitive behavior BFRB scalp scales hair loss alopecia

TLDR Young men with scalp psoriasis and hair loss fears may develop compulsive scalp behaviors needing attention.

The document discusses three cases of young men (aged 24, 19, and 22) with mild scalp psoriasis and a family history of androgenetic alopecia, who exhibit compulsive behaviors related to their scalp. These individuals are intensely focused on preserving scalp scales with embedded hairs, fearing that removing them could accelerate hair loss. This behavior is considered a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) and highlights the need for dermatologists to address underlying anxieties and specific scalp manipulation behaviors in young men with a familial history of alopecia for better clinical management.

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