Bubble hair deformity

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Bubble hair deformity
Specialty Dermatology
Symptoms Short weak brittle hair, that feels rough [1]
Complications Hair breaks easily [2]
CausesExcess heat on wet hair, chemicals [3]
Risk factors Hair dryers, hair straighteners, curling tongs [2]
Diagnostic method Appearance, microscopy [3]
PreventionAvoiding excessive heat and chemicals [2]
FrequencyFemales>males [2]

Bubble hair deformity is damage of the hair shaft, resulting in patches of short weak brittle hair, that feels rough. [1]

Contents

Definition

Bubble hair deformity is damage of the hair shaft, resulting in patches of short weak brittle hair, that feels rough. [1]

Cause

It is typically caused by chemicals and heat; temperatures greater than 125 °C on wet hair, such as with the use of hair dryers, hair straighteners and curling tongs. [2]

Mechanism

Bubble hair is characterized by rows of bubbles seen microscopically within localized areas of the brittle hair. [3] These air-filled spaces occur in the cortex of the hair shaft that correspond to the breakdown of keratin and local air expansion triggered by hot water passing through the shaft. [2] There may be an inherited predisposition. [4] It can be associated with trichorrhexis nodosa and trichoptilosis. [2]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be confirmed by microscopy. [3]

Prevention

Avoiding excessive heat and chemicals can prevent the condition. [2]

Epidemiology

Bubble hair is more common in females. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trichothiodystrophy</span> Medical condition

Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterised by brittle hair and intellectual impairment. The word breaks down into tricho – "hair", thio – "sulphur", and dystrophy – "wasting away" or literally "bad nourishment". TTD is associated with a range of symptoms connected with organs of the ectoderm and neuroectoderm. TTD may be subclassified into four syndromes: Approximately half of all patients with trichothiodystrophy have photosensitivity, which divides the classification into syndromes with or without photosensitivity; BIDS and PBIDS, and IBIDS and PIBIDS. Modern covering usage is TTD-P (photosensitive), and TTD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woolly hair</span> Medical condition

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Bhat, Yasmeen Jabeen; Sheikh, Gousia (2018). "13. Clinical bedside investigations". In Chandrashekar, B. S. (ed.). IADVL Textbook of Trichology. New Delhi: JP Medical Ltd. ISBN   978-93-5270-391-3.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Giacaman, A.; Ferrando, J. (1 February 2022). "[Translated article] Keys to the Diagnosis of Hair Shaft Disorders: Part I". Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas. 113 (2): T141–T149. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2022.01.021 . ISSN   0001-7310. PMID   35244576. S2CID   247229565.
  3. 1 2 3 4 James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "33. Diseases of the skin appendages". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. p. 766. ISBN   978-0-323-54753-6.
  4. "Defects of the hair shaft". dermnetnz.org.