Non-Infectious Dermatoses of the Scalp: A North Indian Study
May 2017
TLDR The conclusion is that common non-infectious scalp diseases often have similar symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
The study, conducted from November 2014 to July 2016, examined non-infectious disorders affecting the scalp. Patients with scalp lesions were included, while those with infectious scalp dermatoses, hair shaft disorders, and androgenetic alopecia were excluded. The majority of non-infectious scalp diseases were seen in the 3rd decade of life (24.76%), followed by the 4th decade (16.67%), with males (66%) affected more than females (34%). Most patients were from an urban setting (51.33%), and the parietal area was the most commonly involved area of the scalp (39.05%). Scaling disorders were the most common (53.80%), with psoriasis being the most common dermatosis seen (52.38%), followed by alopecia areata (30.95%). The study concluded that many common non-infectious dermatoses can significantly involve the scalp and can have overlapping symptoms and presentations, making diagnosis difficult.