Frictional alopecia

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Frictional alopecia
Frictional alopecia.jpg
Hairlessness of skin typically covered by sock (below), in contrast to uncovered skin (above), consistent with frictional alopecia
Specialty Dermatology
Symptoms Alopecia
DurationYears
TypesTrichoteiromania (self-inflicted)
Causes Repetitive friction against skin
Diagnostic method Dermoscopy
Differential diagnosis Alopecia areata
TreatmentAvoidance of friction source

Frictional alopecia is the loss of hair that is caused by rubbing of the hair, follicles, or skin around the follicle. [1] The most typical example of this is the loss of ankle hair among people who wear socks constantly for years. [2] The hair may not grow back even years after the source of friction has ended.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Frictional alopecia causes hair loss secondary to frequent rubbing of the hair. [3]

Causes

Frictional alopecia is a non-scarring alopecia that may result from something rubbing against the hairs or from a self-inflicted tic disorder. [3]

Friction alopecia, when self-inflicting, is called trichoteiromania, a psychiatric condition marked by obsessive hair rubbing. [4]

Friction alopecia can be brought on by something rubbing against hairs repeatedly. It has been reported in the distribution of socks and shoes on the lower extremities of men, [5] on the back of the lower extremities from water slides, [6] in gymnasts performing head stands and rollovers on the balance beam, [7] and in a jogger with a tight-banded headphone on her scalp. [8]

When no frictional etiology can be identified, associations with peripheral nerve disease, thyroid dysfunction, and androgenetic alopecia have been proposed. [9] [10]

Diagnosis

Histology reveals no abnormal alterations. [11] Alopecia areata is a significant differential diagnosis. It is possible to distinguish between the two entities using dermoscopy. [12]

Treatment

Reassurance and avoiding the trigger factor are part of the treatment for frictional alopecia. [12]

References

  1. ↑ Olberding, Matt. "What Causes Hair to Fall Off Your Legs?". livestrong.com.
  2. ↑ Jakhar, Deepak; Kaur, Ishmeet (2 October 2018). "Frictional (Sock) Alopecia of the Legs: Trichoscopy as an Aid". International Journal of Trichology. 10 (3): 129–130. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_96_17 . PMC   6029005 . PMID   30034193.
  3. 1 2 Fowler, Emilie; Tosti, Antonella (2019). "A Case of Friction Alopecia in a Healthy 15-Year-Old Girl". Skin Appendage Disorders. 5 (2): 97–99. doi:10.1159/000490712. ISSN   2296-9195. PMC   6388551 . PMID   30815442.
  4. ↑ Banky, Jeremy P; Sheridan, Adam T; Dawber, Rodney PR (2004-07-13). "Weathering of hair in trichoteiromania". Australasian Journal of Dermatology. 45 (3). Wiley: 186–188. doi:10.1111/j.1440-0960.2004.00087.x. ISSN   0004-8380. PMID   15250901. S2CID   38743534.
  5. ↑ Zhao, Johnny; Cohen, Philip R (August 2016). "Frictional alopecia of the distal legs: case series and review". Dermatology Online Journal. 22 (6): 13030. doi:10.5070/D3228032179. PMID   27617943.
  6. ↑ Adams, B B (May 2001). "Water-slide alopecia". Cutis. 67 (5): 399–400. PMID   11381856.
  7. ↑ Ely, P. Haines (1978-06-01). "Balance Beam Alopecia". Archives of Dermatology. 114 (6): 968. doi:10.1001/archderm.1978.01640180098043. ISSN   0003-987X. PMID   666348.
  8. ↑ Copperman, Stuart M. (1984-12-28). "Two New Causes of Alopecia". JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 252 (24): 3367. doi:10.1001/jama.1984.03350240017021. ISSN   0098-7484. PMID   6502902.
  9. ↑ Harries, MatthewJ; Siah, TeeWei (2014). "Anterolateral leg alopecia: Common but commonly ignored". International Journal of Trichology. 6 (2). Medknow: 75–76. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.138595 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   4154156 . PMID   25191043.
  10. ↑ Srinivas, SahanaM; Sacchidanand, S; Jagannathan, Balaji (2016). "Anterolateral leg alopecia". International Journal of Trichology. 8 (1). Medknow: 49–50. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.179402 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   4830179 . PMID   27127383.
  11. ↑ Sharquie, Khalifa E.; Al-Rawi, Jamal R; Al-Janabi, Hassan A (2002). "Frictional Hair Loss in Iraqi Patients". The Journal of Dermatology. 29 (7). Wiley: 419–422. doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2002.tb00297.x. ISSN   0385-2407. PMID   12184639. S2CID   37002393.
  12. 1 2 Jakhar, Deepak; Kaur, Ishmeet (2018). "Frictional (Sock) alopecia of the legs: Trichoscopy as an aid". International Journal of Trichology. 10 (3). Medknow: 129–130. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_96_17 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   6029005 . PMID   30034193.

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