Loose anagen hair of childhood: The phenomenon of easily pluckable hair

In 1989, Hamm and Traupe studied two boys, aged 4 and 9, with loose anagen hair of childhood, a condition where hair is easily pluckable without scalp inflammation or scarring. The older child's condition resolved spontaneously in 3 months, while the younger's persisted for over a year. Examination revealed a high percentage of anagen hairs and abnormal hair shaft shapes and sizes, with biopsies showing clefts between hair shafts and inner root sheaths. The study concluded that this condition, which presents with easily pluckable hair tufts and diffuse or patchy alopecia, is likely due to inner root sheath abnormalities that impair hair anchoring. Although no effective treatment was known, the condition may resolve on its own.