Hair Examination: Diagnostic Methods for Hair Diseases

January 2015 in “ Springer eBooks ”

Bianca Maria Piraccini, Francesca Bruni, Michela Starace

hair physiology hair structure hair growth cycle pull test telogen hairs trichogram videodermatoscopy wash test modified wash test scalp biopsy cicatricial alopecia hair shedding hair loss

TLDR Understanding hair structure and growth is key for diagnosing hair diseases accurately.

The document from 2015 discusses diagnostic methods for hair diseases, highlighting the need to understand hair physiology for accurate interpretation of diagnostic results. It explains the hair's structure and growth cycle, noting that losing 50-70 hairs daily is normal. Diagnostic techniques covered include the pull test, which is considered pathological if more than six telogen hairs are extracted; the trichogram, which is less used due to its invasiveness; videodermatoscopy, a noninvasive method for evaluating hair and scalp; the wash test and modified wash test for monitoring hair shedding; and scalp biopsy for certain conditions like cicatricial alopecia. The document also provides a table to aid in diagnosing hair diseases using these methods.

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