Acquired Alopecia
August 2021
in “
EMC - AKOS - Trattato di Medicina
”
TLDR Acquired alopecia is hair loss that can be reversible or irreversible, depending on whether the hair follicle is destroyed.
The document discusses acquired alopecia, a condition characterized by hair loss. Hair growth is influenced by genetic and hormonal factors and follows a cyclical pattern with growth, involution, and rest phases. Normal hair loss is estimated between 30 and 150 hairs per day. Alopecia is classified into two groups: scarring (cicatricial) and non-scarring. Non-scarring alopecia is due to a simple change in hair growth and is reversible as the hair follicle is not destroyed. Scarring alopecia results from the destruction of the hair follicle and is usually irreversible, requiring a skin biopsy for diagnosis. The prognosis of both types depends on the time taken for management. The diagnosis of alopecia requires a detailed history, careful clinical examination, and in some cases, further tests.
