TLDR A 66-year-old woman's thick scalp and hair loss were confirmed as lipedematous alopecia, a rare condition possibly influenced by genetics, with no effective treatment known.
In the 2019 case study, a 66-year-old African woman with a lifelong history of diffuse hair loss and a thickened scalp was diagnosed with lipedematous alopecia, a rare condition that leads to non-scarring but permanent hair loss. Despite inconclusive clinical and trichoscopic examinations, histopathological and radiologic analyses revealed a significantly thickened subcutaneous adipose tissue layer, which was 12 mm compared to the normal 3 mm, confirming the diagnosis. The patient's lack of response to minoxidil treatment and her family history suggested a genetic predisposition. This case, being the 93rd reported, highlighted the need for palpation in clinical exams and questioned whether lipedematous alopecia is a distinct condition or a combination of two separate disorders. Due to limited data on treatment efficacy, only symptomatic treatment was recommended.
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