TLDR White-tailed deer can get a hair loss condition that might make them more vulnerable to environmental threats.
The document describes a study on a follicular dysplastic syndrome in adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), colloquially known as “toothpaste hair disease.” The study was based on skin samples from 2 adult deer that presented to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory with reports of hair loss in 2018. The deer were found to be grossly alopecic with sparing of the distal extremities and variably the head and neck. Histologic features included normal numbers of hair follicles and adnexa, dilated and misshapen follicles, and dysplastic hair bulbs. Hair follicles were empty, contained fragmented and irregular hair shafts, or contained concretions of keratin. Small lymphocyte infiltration in hair bulbs suggested alopecia areata as a cause. The condition does not appear to directly cause mortality but could increase environmental exposure. Further evaluation of additional affected individuals is recommended.
33 citations,
June 2016 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Some congenital hair disorders improve in childhood or with treatments like minoxidil and retinoids, while others like Netherton syndrome and trichothiodystrophy have a poor prognosis.
32 citations,
November 2006 in “Veterinary dermatology” Congenital alopecia in domestic animals is rare and involves abnormal hair follicle development, needing better understanding and classification.
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45 citations,
June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Understanding hair follicles through various models can help develop new treatments for hair disorders.
126 citations,
January 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The document concludes that understanding hair structure is key to diagnosing hair abnormalities and recommends gentle hair care for management.
148 citations,
December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
4 citations,
November 2018 in “JAAD case reports” Alopecia areata can sometimes appear as a straight line of hair loss instead of round patches.
May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology” Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.
110 citations,
December 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings” Alopecia areata is a genetic and immune-related hair loss condition that is often associated with other autoimmune diseases and does not typically cause permanent damage to hair follicles.
