TLDR Monilethrix is a rare genetic hair disorder that's hard to treat.
Monilethrix is a rare hereditary hair shaft disorder, typically autosomal-dominant, characterized by beaded hair shafts. A case involving a 13-year-old boy and his sibling was treated with oral N-acetylcysteine, showing slight initial improvement but no sustained increase in hair density. The condition remains a therapeutic challenge, with no definitive treatment established. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine for monilethrix.
23 citations,
January 2011 in “International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology” Minoxidil 2% effectively treats Monilethrix without side effects.
21 citations,
January 2010 in “International journal of trichology” Trichoscopy can diagnose monilethrix, a genetic hair defect causing hair thinning and loss.
4 citations,
January 2014 in “Indian dermatology online journal” Monilethrix is a genetic hair disorder causing fragile, beaded hair with no effective treatment.
September 2021 in “Mağallaẗ al-Muẖtar li-l-ʿulūm” Two sisters have rare hair disorders causing short, fragile, kinky hair.
20 citations,
February 2015 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” A 6-year-old girl was diagnosed with a rare hair disorder and started treatment with topical minoxidil.
4 citations,
January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology” Monilethrix has no effective treatment, but avoiding hair trauma helps manage it.
July 2021 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Monilethrix causes different levels of hair loss in family members.
