Hair diseases are disorders primarily associated with the follicles of the
hair
Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals.
The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and fi ...
. A few examples are:
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Bubble hair deformity
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Hair casts Hair casts (also known as "Pseudonits") represent remnants of the inner root sheath, and often occur in great numbers and may mimic nits in the scalp.James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). ''Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical De ...
(shedding of remnants of the
inner root sheath The inner root sheath or internal root sheath of the hair follicle is located between the outer root sheath and the hair shaft.James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005) ''Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology'' (10th ed.). ...
)
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Hair loss
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 scar ...
(alopecia)
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Hirsutism (excessive hair on body parts with usually minimal hair)
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Hypertrichosis
Hypertrichosis is an abnormal amount of hair growth over the body. The two distinct types of hypertrichosis are generalized hypertrichosis, which occurs over the entire body, and localized hypertrichosis, which is restricted to a certain area. ...
(excessive hair growth)
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Ingrown hair
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Monilethrix (beaded hair)
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Premature greying of hair Premature greying of hair (PGH), also known as canities, can have negative effects on appearance, self-confidence, self-esteem, and social acceptance of the affected individual. Hair is said to have greyed prematurely if it occurs before the age of ...
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Pattern hair loss
Pattern hair loss (also known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA)) is a hair loss condition that primarily affects the top and front of the scalp. In male-pattern hair loss (MPHL), the hair loss typically presents itself as either a receding front ...
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Trichorrhexis invaginata (hair shaft abnormality)
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Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania (TTM), also known as hair-pulling disorder or compulsive hair pulling, is a mental disorder characterized by a long-term urge that results in the pulling out of one's own hair. A brief positive feeling may occur as hair is remov ...
(hair-pulling disorder)
Many hair diseases can be associated with distinct underlying disorders.
Piedra
Piedra is a hair disease caused by a fungus, which causes formation of nodules on the hair shaft.Veasey JV, Avila RB, Miguel BAF, Muramatu LH. White piedra, black piedra, tinea versicolor, and tinea nigra: contribution to the diagnosis of superfic ...
are fungal diseases.
Hair disease may refer to excessive shedding or baldness (or both). Balding can be localised or diffuse, scarring or non-scarring. Increased hair can be due to hormonal factors (hirsutism) or non-hormonal (hypertrichosis). Scalp disorders may or may not be associated with hair loss.
See also
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List of cutaneous conditions
Many skin conditions affect the human integumentary system—the organ system covering the entire surface of the body and composed of skin, hair, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this system is as a barrier agai ...
References
External links
* https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hairdiseasesandhairloss.html
Human hair
Hair diseases
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