The Hair Loss Encyclopedia

Essential Syphilitic Alopecia Revisited

May 1995 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Daniel W. Cuozzo, Paul M. Benson, Leonard C. Sperling, Henry G. Skelton

syphilitic alopecia scalp hair loss diffuse scalp alopecia axillary hair loss pubic hair loss lymphocytic infiltrate terminal anagen hairs alopecia areata syphilis treatment hair regrowth hair loss scalp hair loss body hair loss hair regrowth

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TLDR Syphilis can cause hair loss that looks like other conditions, but it improves with treatment.

The document from 1995 discussed two cases of patients with syphilis who exhibited essential syphilitic alopecia as the initial symptom of the infection. A 55-year-old woman experienced rapid scalp hair loss, and a 33-year-old man had diffuse scalp alopecia along with loss of axillary and pubic hair. Both had normal thyroid function, negative HIV tests, but positive tests for syphilis. Scalp biopsies revealed a lymphocytic infiltrate and fewer terminal anagen hairs, resembling alopecia areata. Following syphilis treatment, both patients had significant hair regrowth. The study highlighted the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis for unexplained hair loss, as its presentation can be similar to that of alopecia areata.

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Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

309 citations, May 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontal scalp biopsy sections effectively diagnose and predict MPAA, with follicular density and inflammation impacting hair regrowth.

Syphilis Presenting as Hair Loss

research Syphilis Presenting as Hair Loss

12 citations, October 1976 in “The BMJ”

Syphilis can cause hair loss and treating the infection can reverse it.

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Syphilitic Alopecia: Case Reports and Trichoscopic Findings

research Syphilitic Alopecia: Case Reports and Trichoscopic Findings

29 citations, January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Hair loss due to syphilis can be identified using trichoscopy and is treatable with antibiotics.

Hair and Scalp Manifestations in Secondary Syphilis: Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Trichoscopy

research Hair and Scalp Manifestations in Secondary Syphilis: Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Trichoscopy

45 citations, January 2015 in “Dermatology”

Hair loss in secondary syphilis is more common than thought and can be reversed with antibiotics.

Alopecia as the Presenting Symptom of Syphilis

research Alopecia as the Presenting Symptom of Syphilis

3 citations, January 2015 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

Hair loss can be a symptom of syphilis.

Diffuse Hair Loss in Secondary Syphilis in HIV Positive Man: Case Report

research Diffuse Hair Loss in Secondary Syphilis in HIV Positive Man: Case Report

2 citations, December 2012 in “Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis”

A man with HIV had hair loss due to syphilis, which improved after penicillin treatment.

Essential Syphilitic Alopecia Revisited

research Essential Syphilitic Alopecia Revisited

53 citations, May 1995 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Syphilis can cause hair loss that looks like other conditions, but it improves with treatment.