TLDR The child's hair loss was due to syphilis and improved after penicillin treatment.
A 5-year-old male patient presented with patchy alopecia in the parietooccipital region, adenomegaly, and a history of maculopapular rash. Laboratory tests ruled out several infections, but the VDRL test was positive, indicating syphilis. The patient received treatment with penicillin G benzathine and showed favorable progress, with negative VDRL controls post-treatment. Syphilitic alopecia, a rare manifestation of secondary syphilis, can present in three patterns: moth-eaten, diffuse, and mixed. The moth-eaten pattern, observed in this case, is characterized by small, non-scarring alopecic patches. Differential diagnoses include alopecia areata, systemic lupus erythematosus, hypothyroidism, and COVID-19-associated alopecia. Treatment of syphilitic alopecia involves addressing the underlying syphilis infection, typically resolving within 3 months post-antibiotic therapy.
58 citations
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November 2020 in “International Journal of Dermatology” COVID-19 may cause a temporary hair loss condition called telogen effluvium in some patients after recovery.
13 citations
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June 2013 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” Syphilitic alopecia, linked to syphilis and high-risk sexual behavior, improves with penicillin treatment.
170 citations
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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.
13 citations
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June 2013 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” Syphilitic alopecia, linked to syphilis and high-risk sexual behavior, improves with penicillin treatment.
4 citations
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May 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine” About 11% of patients with secondary syphilis had Syphilitic Alopecia, which usually improved with treatment.
January 2021 in “Our Dermatology Online” A young man's hair loss was the only sign of syphilis, which improved after treatment.
2 citations
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December 2012 in “Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis” A man with HIV had hair loss due to syphilis, which improved after penicillin treatment.
7 citations
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January 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Syphilis can cause hair loss without other symptoms and should be considered when diagnosing unexplained hair loss.
