Diseases of the Hair and Nails

November 2009 in “ Medical Clinics of North America ”

Shannon Harrison, Wilma F. Bergfeld

TLDR Stress, nutritional issues, and chronic diseases can cause hair loss, and nail changes may signal internal diseases; treatment focuses on the underlying cause.

The 2009 document discusses various hair and nail disorders, highlighting telogen effluvium as a condition caused by stressors that disrupt the normal hair cycle, potentially leading to chronic shedding. It notes that nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases can contribute to hair loss, with treatments focusing on correcting the underlying trigger and supporting hair regrowth. The document also addresses anagen effluvium, thyroid-related hair loss, pattern hair loss, and hirsutism, suggesting treatments like topical minoxidil and antiandrogen medications. Additionally, it mentions that hair shaft changes and scarring alopecia can indicate systemic conditions, and nail disorders may reflect internal diseases. The importance of diagnosing systemic diseases in patients with hair and nail symptoms is emphasized, and the document provides insight into the pathology of hair loss, the effects of various factors on hair follicles, and the diagnostic value of changes in hair and nails.

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research Management of Primary Cicatricial Alopecias: Options for Treatment

98 citations , July 2008 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

There are many treatments for permanent hair loss disorders, but their effectiveness varies and there's no clear best option.

research Cicatricial Alopecia: Classification and Histopathology

74 citations , July 2008 in “Dermatologic therapy”

Early detection and histopathology are crucial to prevent permanent hair loss in cicatricial alopecia.

research Hirsutism

37 citations , December 2007 in “International journal of clinical practice”

Hirsutism is excessive male-pattern hair growth in women, often caused by hormonal imbalances, and requires ongoing treatment to manage.

research Drug Reactions Affecting Hair: Diagnosis

85 citations , April 2007 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Some drugs can cause hair loss, change hair color and shape, or increase hair growth, and treatment may involve stopping the drug or using specific hair growth treatments.

research The Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Its Potential Relationship to Hair Loss

207 citations , May 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Iron deficiency may be related to hair loss, but there's not enough evidence to recommend iron screening or supplements for all hair loss patients.

research Hirsutism

271 citations , December 2005 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine”

The document likely offers guidance on treating a woman's excessive hair growth, considering her symptoms and obesity.

research Management of Hair Loss

74 citations , April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Minoxidil and finasteride are effective for male hair loss, minoxidil for female hair loss, and various treatments like corticosteroids work for alopecia areata; treatment should be tailored to the individual.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

203 citations , February 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Early diagnosis and treatment, using finasteride, minoxidil, or hair transplantation, improves hair loss outcomes.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

4025 citations , January 2004 in “Human Reproduction”

The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and linked PCOS to higher risks of diabetes and heart problems, recommending lifestyle changes to lower these risks.

research Vitamin D3 Analogs Stimulate Hair Growth in Nude Mice

40 citations , November 2002 in “Endocrinology”

Vitamin D3 analogs can promote hair growth in mice genetically prone to hair loss.

research Hair and Systemic Disease

58 citations , October 2001 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Hair loss can indicate underlying systemic diseases and addressing these can sometimes reverse the hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata Update

49 citations , April 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Despite progress in treatment, the exact cause of Alopecia areata is still unknown.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.

research Chronic Telogen Effluvium: Increased Scalp Hair Shedding in Middle-Aged Women

234 citations , December 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Middle-aged women with chronic telogen effluvium experience increased hair shedding but usually don't get significantly thinner hair.

research Chronic Telogen Effluvium

75 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Chronic Telogen Effluvium is a hair loss condition in middle-aged women that usually doesn't lead to complete baldness.

research Histopathology of Non-Scarring Alopecia

122 citations , April 1995 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

The document describes how to tell different types of non-scarring hair loss apart by looking at hair and scalp tissue under a microscope.

research Telogen Effluvium: New Concepts and Review

69 citations , March 1993 in “Archives of Dermatology”

The document says there are five types of hair loss conditions and different causes, including drugs.

research The Importance of Adequate Serum Ferritin Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Treatment of Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia in Women

83 citations , April 1992 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

Having enough iron improves the effectiveness of a specific hair loss treatment in women.

research Alopecia in crash dieters

4 citations , June 1976 in “JAMA”

Severe calorie cutting can cause hair loss, but hair usually grows back after some time.