Hair and Diabetes: Implications and Case Studies

The document discusses the relationship between hair and diabetes, focusing on various conditions and their implications. A case of a five-year-old girl who presented symptoms of diabetes due to organophosphate poisoning from a lice treatment is discussed. The document also mentions a South Korean study of 184 people, which found that higher glucose levels at presentation of organophosphate poisoning were associated with higher mortality rates. The document also discusses Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting 5-15% of women, which is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of diabetes. The document advises caution for people with diabetes when removing hair due to the risk of infection and poor wound healing. It also mentions that medications, such as antihypertensives and statins, can cause hair loss. The document concludes by stating that hair is an emotive topic, and both its excess or absence can be associated with psychological disease. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance and glucose intolerance or diabetes is common. People with alopecia areata, an autoimmune cause of hair loss, may also have type 1 diabetes.