Traction Alopecia: Neglected in Women and Children of Color

The study "Traction alopecia: Neglected in women and children of color" examined the clinical management and outcomes of 167 patients with Traction Alopecia (TA), a condition primarily affecting women and children of color. The patients, mostly female and Black, had a mean age of 31.5 years at diagnosis, and 33.5% were pediatric. Most had a history of tight braid use and exhibited a frontotemporal distribution of hair loss. Therapeutic counseling was given to 87.4% of patients, and adjunctive therapies were prescribed to 63.5%. However, about two-thirds of patients did not return for follow-up. Of those with follow-up, 96.3% had unchanged/stabilized or improved disease. The study identified two care gaps: the need to increase recognition of TA in children and adults and expedite referral to a dermatologist, and the need to address inconsistent follow-up due to limited clinician understanding, cultural norms, societal expectations, and economic limitations.