Short anagen syndrome | |
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Specialty | Dermatology |
Short anagen syndrome is a condition where hair does not grow beyond a short length, due to an unusually short duration of active hair growth (anagen phase). [1] Most cases are associated with fine blond hair. [2]
Short anagen syndrome appears as sporadic short hair, frequently with low hair density and no obvious alopecia patches. [3] Oftentimes, parents worry that their child never needs a haircut or that their hair never gets long. [4] The anagen phase lasts for only four to ten months. [5] The hair cycle synchronizes when the anagen phase shortens, resulting in recurrent periods of severe hair loss. [1]
Although familial cases have been described, which may indicate an autosomal dominant inheritance, [6] the condition is congenital and is believed to be sporadic. [1]
As of right now, short anagen syndrome lacks diagnostic standards. Nonetheless, the diagnosis might be supported by the following six key clinical features: [4]
The diagnosis is confirmed by microscopic analysis of the hair, which displays short telogen hairs with tapering tips, indicating uncut hairs. [1]
Differential diagnosis for short hair consists primarily of loose anagen syndrome (LAS), congenital hypotrichosis, and hair shaft diseases. [5]
Topical minoxidil is known to prolong the anagen phase, enhance hair length, and prevent telogen effluvium as a therapeutic intervention; nevertheless, therapy is debatable and may not be required, at least in young children. [7] [8]
Alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness, is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body. It often results in a few bald spots on the scalp, each about the size of a coin. Psychological stress and illness are possible factors in bringing on alopecia areata in individuals at risk, but in most cases there is no obvious trigger. People are generally otherwise healthy. In a few cases, all the hair on the scalp is lost, or all body hair is lost. Hair loss can be permanent, or temporary.
Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. Typically at least the head is involved. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body. Inflammation or scarring is not usually present. Hair loss in some people causes psychological distress.
Telogen effluvium is a scalp disorder characterized by the thinning or shedding of hair resulting from the early entry of hair in the telogen phase. It is in this phase that telogen hairs begin to shed at an increased rate, where normally the approximate rate of hair loss is 125 hairs per day.
Pili torti is characterized by short and brittle hairs that appear flattened and twisted when viewed through a microscope.
Anagen effluvium is the pathologic loss of anagen or growth-phase hairs. Classically, it is caused by radiation therapy to the head and systemic chemotherapy, especially with alkylating agents.
Loose anagen syndrome, also known as loose anagen hair syndrome, is a hair disorder related to dermatology. It is characterised by the easy and pain free detachment of anagen staged hairs from the scalp. This hair condition can be spontaneous or genetically inherited.
Anetoderma is a benign but uncommon disorder that causes localized areas of flaccid or herniated sac-like skin due to a focal reduction of dermal elastic tissue. Anetoderma is subclassified as primary anetoderma, secondary anetoderma, iatrogenic anetoderma of prematurity, congenital anetoderma, familial anetoderma, and drug-induced anetoderma.
A connective tissue nevus is a skin lesion which may be present at birth or appear within the first few years of life. It is elevated, soft to firm in consistency, varying in size from 0.5 to several centimeters in diameter, and may manifest as grouped, linear, or irregularly-distributed lesions.
Multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis, also known as congenital cutaneovisceral angiomatosis with thrombocytopenia and multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis with thrombocytopenia (MLT), is a skin condition that presents at birth with hundreds of red-brown plaques as large as several centimeters.
Pressure alopecia, also known as postoperative alopecia, and pressure-induced alopecia, occurs in adults after prolonged pressure on the scalp during general anesthesia, with the head fixed in one position, and may also occur in chronically ill persons after prolonged bed rest in one position that causes persistent pressure on one part of the scalp, all likely due to pressure-induced ischemia.
Spotted lunulae is a distinctive change that occurs with alopecia areata.
Melanonychia is a black or brown pigmentation of a nail, and may be present as a normal finding on many digits in Afro-Caribbeans, as a result of trauma, systemic disease, or medications, or as a postinflammatory event from such localized events as lichen planus or fixed drug eruption.
Pili bifurcati is characterized by bifurcation found in short segments along the shafts of several hairs, with each branch of the bifurcation being covered with its own cuticle.
Non scarring hair loss, also known as noncicatricial alopecia is the loss of hair without any scarring being present. There is typically little inflammation and irritation, but hair loss is significant. This is in contrast to scarring hair loss during which hair follicles are replaced with scar tissue as a result of inflammation. Hair loss may be spread throughout the scalp (diffuse) or at certain spots (focal). The loss may be sudden or gradual with accompanying stress.
Trichoscopy is a method of hair and scalp evaluation and is used for diagnosing hair and scalp diseases. The method is based on dermoscopy. In trichoscopy hair and scalp structures may be visualized at many-fold magnification. Currently magnifications ranging from 10-fold to 70-fold are most popular in research and clinical practice.
Malalignment of the nail plate, also known as congenital malalignment of the great toenails or congenital malalignment syndrome, is a congenital malalignment of the nail of the great toe, and is often misdiagnosed although it is a common condition. It most commonly affects the halluces. The nail might be discolored and develop infections. If the misaligned nail becomes embedded in the lateral nail fold it can cause pain, inflammation and erythema.
An eccrine nevus is an extremely rare cutaneous condition that, histologically, is characterized by an increase in size or number of eccrine secretory coils. Hyperhidrosis is the most common symptom. It can present as discoloured nodules, papules, or plaques. Eccrine nevus mostly affects the extremities. Eccrine nevus are diagnosed based of histology. Treatment includes surgical excision or topical medications.
Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis, also known as rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatosis, is a cutaneous condition associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Congenital erosive and vesicular dermatosis is a cutaneous condition characterized by generalized erosions, vesicles, crusting and ‘scalded skin-like’ erythematous areas affecting up to 75% of the body surface area.
Absence of fingerprints-congenital milia syndrome, also known simply as Baird syndrome is an extremely rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder which is characterized by a lack of fingerprints and the appearance of blisters and facial milia soon after birth. It has been described in ten families worldwide.
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