Monilethrix: Rare Syndrome of Structural Hair Abnormalities
November 1999
in “
PubMed
”
Studysummary This article presents five family cases of monilethrix and reports that neither vitamins nor desquamative ointments are effective treatments, although symptoms may spontaneously regress over time.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
Monilethrix was identified as a rare structural hair disorder characterized by alternating thinning and fusiform thickening of hair shafts, known as beaded hair. Affected individuals typically exhibited lustreless, dry, rough, and fragile hair. Trichological examinations often revealed a significant percentage of anagenic hair. The study, which presented five familial cases, concluded that both systemic therapy with vitamins and topical treatments were not sufficiently effective. However, spontaneous regression of symptoms was often observed over time.
