Plica Neuropathica (Polonica) Secondary to Diffuse Alopecia: A Case Report and Literature Review

September 2025 in “ Cureus ”

Alondra Saray Polanco-Llanes, Abraham Isaí Cabello-Hernández, Paulina Nundehui Cortés‐López, Ximena Gintare Alvarez-Estrada, Genaro Briseño–Gascón

plica neuropathica diffuse alopecia androgenetic alopecia telogen effluvium minoxidil trichoscopy Rogaine

Studysummary In this case report, the researchers documented a rare instance of plica neuropathica, characterized by matted and twisted hair, occurring alongside diffuse alopecia, marking the first such documented association and emphasizing its diagnostic challenges in identifying causes of alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This article discusses a unique case of plica neuropathica (polonica) in a 62-year-old female with diffuse alopecia, marking the first documented instance of this association. The patient showed decreased hair density and matting, with trichoscopy findings leading to a diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia with acute telogen effluvium. Treatment with topical minoxidil was initiated. The report emphasizes the need to consider plica neuropathica in patients with diffuse alopecia and suggests systemic conditions may play a role in its development. The study reviews literature to provide insights into the condition's presentation, causes, and management, stressing the importance of recognizing it in clinical practice to avoid misdiagnosis.

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research Is Thyroid Dysfunction a Common Cause of Telogen Effluvium? A Retrospective Study

January 2024 in “Medicine”

This retrospective study of 500 female patients with telogen effluvium found that those with hypothyroidism had more severe hair loss compared to those with normal thyroid function or hyperthyroidism, highlighting the importance of thyroid function testing in these cases.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update

July 2023 in “JAAD International”

This study describes androgenetic alopecia as a common non-scarring hair loss condition primarily influenced by genetic factors and androgen sensitivity, notably impacting psychosocial well-being, especially in females and younger males seeking treatment.

research Plica Neuropathica as a Presenting Rare Dermatologic Symptom of Schizophrenia

July 2023 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

This case report described a 32-year-old woman with plica neuropathica who was diagnosed with schizophrenia after initially seeking dermatological care for her severely matted hair, illustrating a rare presentation of schizophrenia and the importance of considering psychiatric conditions in such cases.

research Plica Neuropathica in Two Hispanic Patients

January 2023 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This article describes two cases of plica neuropathica, a rare hair condition involving severe matting, and discusses possible contributing factors and diagnosis methods while reporting no new scientific results.

research Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Science and Current Obstacles

23 citations , January 2021 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This review describes the diagnosis and management challenges of telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss triggered by physiological stress, and summarizes current understanding of its mechanisms and treatments while recommending future research directions.

research Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature

40 citations , May 2020 in “Cureus”

This review discusses the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of telogen effluvium and reports no new clinical findings; the authors underscore the importance of identifying and eliminating causative factors.

research Plica Neuropathica: Novel Presentation of a Rare Disease

14 citations , August 2006 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This case report describes a unique instance of plica neuropathica in a 14-year-old girl linked to chronic illness and acute infection, leading to complete hair loss.