BH24 Traction Alopecia in Women: An Under-Recognized Cause of Hair Loss

    June 2025 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”
    Angelyn Chen Yin Lua, Wei Leong Ang, Shiu Ming Pang
    TLDR Traction alopecia is common and preventable, especially among Indian women.
    A study conducted over 77 weeks at a tertiary hospital outpatient dermatology department evaluated the causes of hair loss in 38 adult female patients diagnosed with alopecia. The research found that female pattern hair loss was the most common cause (71%), followed by traction alopecia (34%) and alopecia areata (21%). Notably, traction alopecia was prevalent among Indian patients, affecting 80% of them, despite Indians comprising only 7% of the local population. The study highlights the importance of awareness and education on hair care to prevent traction alopecia, which is potentially treatable if detected early. It also identifies risk factors such as hair practices common among Indian women and coexisting conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis and eczema, which were more prevalent in the study group than expected. Identifying high-risk groups can aid in early detection and implementation of preventive and treatment strategies for alopecia.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 91 results

      community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

      in Will treatment work for me? 2 years ago
      In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.

      community If you're sitting there wondering, "I'm losing my hair, what do I do?" then read my advice here. I've been fighting the fight for 7 years, with great success. (pictures included)

      in Question  109 upvotes 11 years ago
      Fighting hair loss with "The Big 3" treatments of Propecia, Rogaine and Nizoral shampoo, as well as specific advice on how to use these products. People have shared their long-term success stories and some have discussed the side effects of finasteride. Other suggestions included Lipogaine and Pura D'or Hair Loss Prevention Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner.

      community C’est terrible - at my wits end

      in Female  450 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community Help with Routine for 50 year old Black Woman

      in Female 4 years ago
      A 50-year-old Black woman with alopecia areata and traction alopecia is seeking a science-based hair loss routine. Current treatments include spearmint tea for DHT levels and considering PRP.

      community Dutasteride 1 year regression. Depressing. (With pictures for proof)

      in Progress Pictures  14 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user shared their experience of hair loss progression after one year on dutasteride, expressing disappointment with no improvement and considering other treatments like RU58841. Other users offered mixed responses, some seeing no change, others suggesting the hair loss might have been worse without treatment, and discussing the role of testosterone and DHT in hair loss.

    Related Research

    7 / 7 results