Plica Neuropathica: Matting of Hair

The document discusses a case of 'plica neuropathica', a rare condition of severe and irreversible matting of scalp hair, as observed in a 16-year-old female who experienced matting after washing her hair with soap and piling it on top of her head. The matting was resistant to all attempts at detangling, including the application of coconut oil. The patient had no history of psychological problems, skin, scalp, or hair disease, and her physical and psychological evaluations were normal. The matting was diagnosed as plica neuropathica, and the only treatment option was to cut the hair. The condition is thought to be caused by mechanical factors such as felting, electrostatic attraction, and viscous fluid welding, particularly after using shampoos with cationic surfactants. However, in this case, the matting occurred with the use of soap, possibly containing cationic surfactants. Prevention includes avoiding washing hair piled on the vertex and minimizing rotatory rubbing. The document suggests that early stages of matting might be reversible with organic solvents, but severe cases require cutting the hair.