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.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Physician here AMA – 30M oral Fin 1-1.25 mg daily

      in Update  47 upvotes 3 years ago
      Hair loss treatments, specifically the use of finasteride, microneedling and potentially oral minoxidil. People discussed their experiences with finasteride, its effects on sexual behaviors, as well as potential solutions such as tadalafil or using other growth factor signal peptides for hope in curing male pattern baldness.

      community The "I just want hair until im 30" cope.

      in Chat  220 upvotes 1 year ago
      Participants want to maintain hair until at least age 30, using treatments like finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil. Hair loss remains a concern, with some considering hair transplants.

      community Minoxidil seems logistically impossible and impractical to use

      in Minoxidil  136 upvotes 2 years ago
      The post discusses concerns about the practicality of using Minoxidil foam for hair loss, including the frequency of application, preparation, coverage area, and drying time. Responses suggest that missing a dose isn't detrimental, it can be applied once a day, it works on all hair areas, and it doesn't need to be perfectly dry before application.

      community Please stop looking for a natural way to stop your hairloss

      in Chat  247 upvotes 3 years ago
      There is no natural way to stop hair loss; pharmaceuticals like minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841 are the only effective treatments. Some users report success with minoxidil and microneedling, while others discuss the side effects of finasteride.

    Similar Research

    5 / 1000+ results
      Hair Disorders

      research Hair Disorders

      10 citations , June 2000 in “Primary Care”
      The document explains different hair loss types and treatments, emphasizing diagnosis through examination and tests, and specific treatments for each condition.
      Hair Diseases

      research Hair Diseases

      28 citations , September 1998 in “Medical Clinics of North America”
      Most hair loss can be diagnosed with patient history and physical exam, and a few common types make up most cases.
      Telogen Effluvium: A Common Form of Hair Loss

      research Telogen Effluvium: A Common Form of Hair Loss

      July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks”
      Telogen Effluvium is a common, usually reversible hair loss condition, often improved by removing the trigger and possibly treated with various products, though their effectiveness is uncertain.