TLDR An 11-year-old girl with compulsive hair pulling was successfully treated with therapy and medication.
The document detailed a case of Trichotillomania (TTM), a disorder causing compulsive hair pulling, in an 11-year-old girl who had been misdiagnosed with alopecia areata. She had a 2-month history of hair loss in the frontoparietal and parietotemporal area. A dermatological examination, trichoscopy, and skin biopsy confirmed TTM. She also showed mood changes, social withdrawal, and sibling rivalry. Treatment included cognitive behavioral therapy, mild shampoo, mild topical steroids, and methionine in capsules, which were successful with parental cooperation. The document also briefly discussed TTM's prevalence, etiology, diagnostic criteria, and management.
5 citations,
October 2012 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Trichoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosing hair and scalp diseases without needing skin biopsies.
1 citations,
October 2013 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Diagnosing alopecia areata is challenging and requires careful examination and various tests to distinguish it from other hair loss types.
December 2024 in “Journal of Skin and Stem Cell” Trichoscopy helps diagnose and manage different types of hair loss in the Indian population.
30 citations,
August 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy” Better-designed, long-term studies are needed to optimize treatment for trichotillomania and trichophagia.
51 citations,
December 2011 in “The Journal of Dermatology” New treatments for severe hair loss often fail, but some patients see hair regrowth with specific therapies, and treatment should be tailored to the individual's situation.
4 citations,
January 2021 in “Skin appendage disorders” Trichodynia is a painful scalp condition not directly linked to the amount or type of hair loss and may involve psychological factors, with treatments showing mixed results.
