Cutis Verticis Gyrata Associated With Chronic Traction Alopecia
TLDR Tight hairstyles can cause a rare scalp condition with thick skin folds.
Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a rare scalp condition characterized by thickened skinfolds and furrows. The study presents two cases of CVG associated with chronic traction alopecia, a form of hair loss due to persistent tension on the hair. The first patient, a 15-year-old Sikh boy, developed CVG from the tension applied by tying his hair for a turban, while the second patient, a 16-year-old girl with potential Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, developed CVG from hairstyling. Both cases showed nonscarring hair loss with fibrous tracks and preserved sebaceous glands on histology. Treatment included reducing hair tension, topical minoxidil, and hair transplantation advice. The boy's cultural practices posed a treatment challenge, whereas the girl saw some improvement after cutting her hair. Chronic traction is a rare cause of CVG, and these cases emphasize the need to consider traction styling in CVG diagnosis and management.
