TLDR Thallium poisoning can cause severe neurological symptoms and hair loss.
The document described a case of a 45-year-old man who developed severe neurological symptoms, including sensory-motor polyneuropathy, confusion, and convulsions, leading to respiratory failure and coma. After 3 weeks in intensive care, he experienced rapid and diffuse hair loss (alopecia). Examination of his hair roots revealed dystrophic anagen hairs with dark bands, a characteristic sign of thallium poisoning. A toxicological investigation confirmed thallium exposure. The study reviewed the systemic symptoms, dermatological signs, and discussed the origins and physiopathology of thallium contamination.
119 citations,
June 1993 in “BMJ” Alopecia is a key indicator of thallium poisoning.
26 citations,
January 2018 in “Skin appendage disorders” Thallium, mercury, selenium, and colchicine strongly cause hair loss.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” Understanding normal hair growth and loss in children is key to diagnosing and treating hair disorders.
61 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Hair usually grows back 1-3 months after treatment for anagen effluvium, and children with Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome often improve by adolescence.
13 citations,
July 2004 in “Skinmed” Common types of non-scarring hair loss have various causes and treatments, but more effective solutions are needed.
July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” Some drugs can cause reversible hair loss, but certain chemotherapy drugs may lead to permanent hair loss; drugs can also change hair color and texture.
