Unusual Cause for Baldness Inspires the Muse

    July 1993 in “ JAMA ”
    Christopher M. Papa
    TLDR Hair loss can be a sign of syphilis, and self-diagnosing based on ads can be risky.
    A 29-year-old man experienced diffuse hair thinning and sought a prescription for Rogaine (minoxidil) after seeing television advertisements, without wanting a medical examination. Upon examination, his hair loss was identified as the only clinical manifestation of secondary syphilis, confirmed by a reactive serological test for syphilis at a 1:320 dilution. This case highlighted the potential consequences of direct consumer advertising of prescription drugs, where patients may demand specific treatments without understanding the underlying causes of their symptoms.
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