Hair Shaft Fracture in a Young Athlete: A Rare Case Report of Acquired Trichorrhexis Nodosa
August 2024
in “
Cureus
”
TLDR A young athlete's fragile hair condition improved by cutting hair and using gentle shampoo.
This case report discusses a 19-year-old male professional volleyball player and recreational swimmer diagnosed with acquired distal trichorrhexis nodosa (TN), a condition characterized by fragile hair with white knots and fractures. The patient's exposure to chlorine and other environmental factors likely contributed to the condition. Diagnosis was confirmed through trichoscopy and microscopy, revealing characteristic hair shaft anomalies. Treatment involved cutting the hair and using gentle, sulfate-free shampoo, resulting in no recurrence after six months. This case underscores the importance of identifying and mitigating environmental factors in managing TN.