TLDR Hair loss due to syphilis can be identified using trichoscopy and is treatable with antibiotics.
The document from 2017 discusses syphilitic alopecia (SA), a rare and non-common manifestation of syphilis that can present as patchy or diffuse nonscarring hair loss, sometimes mimicking other conditions like alopecia areata and telogen effluvium. The paper describes three patients with atypical patterns of SA, highlighting the importance of including syphilis in the differential diagnosis of hair loss. Trichoscopic findings, such as zigzag hairs, were reported for the first time in the context of SA. The study emphasizes that trichoscopy can aid in distinguishing SA from other hair loss causes, particularly when typical skin lesions of syphilis are absent. All three patients experienced complete hair regrowth after antibiotic treatment. The study underscores the necessity of considering syphilis as a potential cause of hair loss and the utility of trichoscopy in diagnosis. The number of patients in the study was three.
45 citations,
January 2015 in “Dermatology” Hair loss in secondary syphilis is more common than thought and can be reversed with antibiotics.
10 citations,
July 2012 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Syphilis can cause hair loss and should be considered in unexplained cases.
53 citations,
May 1995 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Syphilis can cause hair loss that looks like other conditions, but it improves with treatment.
1 citations,
January 2022 in “Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings” Treating hair loss due to syphilis involves antibiotics.
January 2021 in “Our Dermatology Online” A young man's hair loss was the only sign of syphilis, which improved after treatment.
29 citations,
January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders” Hair loss due to syphilis can be identified using trichoscopy and is treatable with antibiotics.
109 citations,
May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.
1 citations,
April 1992 in “PubMed” The document describes the signs of different common types of hair loss.
7 citations,
September 1987 in “PubMed” Most hair loss cases are caused by four main conditions, and understanding them is key to treatment.
