Telogen Effluvium Associated with Albendazole Therapy

In 1990, a 59-year-old woman undergoing albendazole therapy for hydatid disease at a daily dose of 400 mg developed telogen effluvium, a non-scarring form of hair loss. Clinical examination revealed a high number of telogen hairs, with no signs of inflammation or scarring, and laboratory tests excluded other causes for the hair loss. The patient's condition improved after the dosage of albendazole was reduced and then discontinued, indicating a link between the medication and hair loss. This case underscores the importance for dermatologists to recognize hair loss as a possible side effect of albendazole treatment.