Zolpidem-Associated Dermatitis Artefacta: An Unusual Cause of Cicatricial Alopecia

    December 2025 in “ Diagnostics ”
    Martyna Sławińska, Krzysztof Sadko, Beata Zagórska, Małgorzata Sokołowska‐Wojdyło
    TLDR Stopping zolpidem improved hair loss caused by self-inflicted scalp injuries during sleep.
    This article discusses a case of a 95-year-old woman who developed cicatricial alopecia as a result of zolpidem-induced complex sleep-related amnestic behavior, leading to self-inflicted scalp lesions during sleep. The condition improved after discontinuing zolpidem and switching to melatonin. The case underscores the need to review medication history when diagnosing unusual hair loss causes and advises caution in prescribing zolpidem, particularly for elderly patients on multiple medications.
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