1. ALOPECIA
EZEIKE OBINNA

2. OUTLINE Introduction Types Epidemiology Pathophysiology Presentation
Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Management
Prognosis
Conclusion

3. Introduction 3 stages in hair growth
ANAGEN
growth phase ( scalp 3 - 7yrs, brow 4yrs)
80-90% of scalp hair in this phase
CATAGEN
resting phase lasts 3-4wks
Hair protein synthesis stops
Follicle retreats towards the surface
10-20% of hairs in this phase
TELOGEN
- shedding stage
- no growth
- lasts months
- at the end hair sheds, and new follicles start to grow
hairs shed per day

4. Introduction Contd Alopecia affects both men and women
Normally lose hairs per day
Hair grows one cm a month
About 100,000 hairs on the scalp

5. Epidemiology Prevalence Ibadan (Ogunbiyi et al 2004) – 3.4%
Kaduna (Yahya et al 2007) – 3.3%
Enugu (Nnoruka et al 2005) - 1.3%
Lagos (Ekpudu et al 2008) – 4.6%

6. Forms of Alopecia
Scarring : associated fibrosis, inflammation, and loss of hair follicles.
Non-scarring : hair shafts are gone, but the hair follicles are preserved; reversible
May also be focal or diffused.

7. Causes of non-scarring Alopecia
A. PRIMARY CUTANEOUS DISORDERS     
1. Telogen effluvium
2. Anagen effluvium     
3. Androgenetic alopecia     
4. Alopecia areata     
5. Tinea capitis     
6. Traumatic alopecia
B. Drugs

8. Non-scarring contd C. Systemic diseases
1. Systemic lupus erythematosus     
2. Secondary syphilis     
3. Hypothyroidism     
4. Hyperthyroidism     
5. Hypopituitarism     
6. Deficiencies of protein, iron, biotin, and zinc

9. SCARRING (CICATRICAL) ALOPECIA
About 7-8% of alopecia.
May be primary or secondary
Primary: the hair follicle is the target of the destructive inflammatory process.
Secondary: destruction of the hair follicle is incidental to a non-follicle-directed process. May be systemic (scleroderma, discoid lupus erythematosus) or external injury, such as burns, radiation, traction etc.

10. Scarring hair loss: Primary cicatricial alopecia
Primary cicatricial alopecias, further classified by type of inflammatory cells that destroy the hair follicle during the active stage of the disease.
Lymphocytic
Chronic cutaneous LE
Lichen planopilaris
Classic pseudopelade
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia
Alopecia mucinosa
Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans
Neutrophilic
Folliculitis decalvans
Dissecting folliculitis (perifolliculitis abscedens et suffodiens)
Mixed
Folliculitis keloidalis
Folliculitis necrotica
Erosive pustular dermatosis
Non-specific

11. SCARRING ALOPECIA Are not contagious
Majority of patients have no family history of a similar condition.
However, Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia primarily affects women of African ancestry, and may occur in several women in the same family.
May be symptomless or have symptoms such as itching, pain, tenderness, or burning

12. DLE ( Scarring Alopecia)

13. Scarring Alopecia

14. DIAGNOSIS Hair pull test (rarely done nowadays, painful)
Microscopic exam/ trichogram
Of the hair bulb of the hairs pulled
To differentiate b/w normal and dystrophic telogen
To determine anagen/telogen ratio
An excess of loose anagen hairs can be indicative of active disease.
Scalp biopsy is essential for the diagnosis: shows type of inflammation present, location and amount of inflammation, and other changes in the scalp.

15. TREATMENT Treatment, different for each subtype.
Lymphocytic group: anti-inflammatory medications.
Oral medications may include hydroxychloroquine, doxycycline, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, or corticosteroids.
Topical medications may include corticosteroids, tacrolimus, pimecrolimus.
Triamcinolone may be injected into inflamed, symptomatic areas of the scalp.

16. TREATMENT CONT’D
Neutrophilic group: . Oral antibiotics are mainstay. Topical antibiotics may be used to supplement the oral antibiotics. In dissecting cellulitis, pathogenic microbes are not usually present. Isotretinoin may be helpful.
Mixed group: antimicrobials, isotretinoin, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Treatment continued until symptoms stop.
Hair regrowth uncommon, but possible if tx commenced early. Topical minoxidil might help.
Hair restoration surgery or scalp reduction may be considered if dx is inactive for 1-2 yrs.
Hair pieces, wigs, toupees, hats recommended.

17. Dissecting cellulitis
Chronic folliculitis affecting predominantly young black males.
Presents with papules and pustules over the occipital region of the scalp with hair loss. If severe, the back of the scalp becomes a boggy swelling (discharging pus) with areas of scarring alopecia.
Can be complicated by keloid scar formation (‘acne keloidalis nuchae’).
Treatment is difficult but prolonged courses of low-dose antibiotics are worth trying in early disease.
Prolonged courses of isotretinoin can help a few individuals and deep surgical excision can be used in recalcitrant cases.
Combined rifampicin and clindamycin (both 300 mg × 2) can be used in resistant cases.

19. (acne keloidalis nuchae).

20. Non-scarring alopecia
refers to hair loss without permanent destruction of the hair follicle.

21. Non-scarring alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia,
Anagen effluvium
Telogen effluvium,
Alopecia areata,
folliculitis (mild),
inherited disorders of the hair shaft
traumatic alopecia

22. TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM
Cause of diffuse hair loss. The disease results in reversible diffuse loss of mature, terminal hairs, usually following a significant stressful event.
Reversible.
Treatment involves controlling precipitating condition.

23. Causes of telogen effluvium
Endocrine
Hypo/hyperthyroidism
Post-partum
Peri/post-menopausal
Nutritional
Biotin deficiency
Iron deficiency
Kwashiokor/marasmus
Zinc deficiency
Essential FA deficiency
Stress
Anaemia
Surgery
Systemic illness
Psychological stress
Pregnancy/ abortion
Severe weight loss
Drugs
ACEI
β-blockers
Anticoagulants
Cytotoxics
Interferon
Lithium
OC pills
Retinoids
Valproic acid
Vit A excess
Benze-imidazoles

24. Anagen effluvium
Anagen effluvium involves loss of growing (anagen) hair

25. Anagen effluvium alkylating, eg busulphan, melphalan, chlorambucil
antimitotic, eg vinblastin, vincristine, paclitaxel
Immunotherapeutic medications (eg, cyclosporine).
Radiation therapy.

26. TRAUMATIC ALOPECIA mechanical traction, chemical trauma, and
trichotillomania (nervous, self-induced hair pulling).
Styling techniques that call for chronic tension on the hair,
repeated use of lye-containing chemicals for hair straightening
hot oils for styling may cause a reversible loss of hair

27. Trichotillomania

28. Traction alopecia due to the use of tight curlers:

29. Traction alopecia secondary to braiding:

30. Hot-comb alopecia:

31. Tinea capitis
Varies from scaling with minimal hair loss to discrete patches with "black dots" (broken hairs) to boggy plaque with pustules (kerion).
Invasion of hairs by dermatophytes, most commonly Trichophyton tonsurans.
Oral griseofulvin or terbinafine plus 2.5% selenium sulfide or ketoconazole shampoo; examine family members

33. ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA
Genetically determined disorder xterized by the gradual conversion of the pigmented terminal hairs into indeterminate, and finally into nonpigmented vellus, hairs. It is a common condition that affects men and women.
As condition progresses, the anagen phase shortens with the telogen phase remaining constant. As a result, more hairs are in the telogen phase, and the patient may notice an increase in hair shedding.
Androgenetic alopecia may mimic diffuse alopecia areata.
Association was found between balding at the vertex and Prostate cancer. (Amoretti et al)

34. Androgenetic Alopecia
most common cause of alopecia
three distinct forms recognized-MPAA, FPAA, diffuse AA
Caucasians most commonly affected
More in males than females
In women, more common post menopausal
mode of inheritance unclear
presence of androgens (esp. DHT) essential
mechanism of action on follicles unclear

35. PRESENTATION
MALES
Men note a gradual recession of the frontal hairline early in the process with gradual thinning in the temporal areas, producing a reshaping of the anterior part of the hairline
For the most part, the evolution of baldness progresses according to the Norwood/Hamilton classification of frontal and vertex thinning.
FEMALES
Hair generally is lost diffusely over the crown; this produces a gradual thinning of the hair rather than an area of marked baldness.
The frontal hairline is often preserved in women
Bitemporal recession does occur in women but usually to a lesser degree than in men.
May be associated with Polycystic ovary syndrome, adrenal dx etc.

36. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Patients with androgenetic alopecia have a reduction in the terminal-to-vellus hair ratio, normally about 4:1
Studies have identified 2 major genetic risk loci for androgenetic alopecia. These are the X-chromosomal AR/EDA2R locus and the PAX1/FOXA2 locus on chromosome 20.
More recent studies have identified a third gene: HDAC9

37. CONT’D
Locus with strongest evidence for linkage to androgenetic alopecia was the 3q26 site on the X chromosome. In addition, an association between androgenetic alopecia and chromosome 20pll and the androgen-receptor gene has been reported.
Androgen is necessary for progression of androgenetic alopecia, as it is not found in males castrated prior to puberty.
Postulated to be a dominantly inherited disorder with variable penetrance and expression. However, it may be of polygenic inheritance.
This suggests that systemic or external factors may play a role in androgenetic alopecia.

38. DIAGNOSIS
History and the physical examination, most important aspects of diagnosis.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-sulfate and testosterone analysis: In women, if virilization is evident
Dermoscopy: brown peripilar casts and miniaturized hairs (Schmidt et al)
Biopsy and histology
A biopsy is rarely necessary to make the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia.
Although the condition is considered a noninflammatory form of hair loss, a superficial, perifollicular, inflammatory infiltrate is noted at times. A mildly increased telogen-to-anagen ratio is often observed.

39. Differentials
Alopecia Areata
Anagen Effluvium
Telogen Effluvium

40. Management
The following drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia:
Minoxidil: Androgen-independent hair-growth stimulator: Minoxidil appears to lengthen the duration of the anagen phase, and it may increase the blood supply to the follicle. Regrowth is more pronounced at the vertex than in the frontal areas and is not noted for at least 4 months.
Side effects: Central chorioretinopathy (reversible),
Finasteride: 5-Alpha reductase type 2 inhibitor. It is not an antiandrogen. Inhibits conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
The drug can be used only in men because it can produce ambiguous genitalia in a developing male fetus. Used indefinitely.

41. Mgt Cont’d
Other drugs: (androgen receptor antagonists) spironolactone, cyproterone acetate; oral contraceptives.
Dutasteride: inhibits type I and type II 5-a reductase isoenzymes and is felt to be 3 times as potent as finasteride in inhibiting the type II enzyme and 100 times as potent in inhibiting the type I enzyme. Still under trials.
Topical Latanoprost.
HairMax LaserComb. (Low-level laser light therapy)

42. Surgical Management punch-graft hair transplantation
minigrafts and micrografts
scalp reduction
extensive scalp reduction
tissue expansion
transposition flaps

43. Male pattern

44. Female pattern

45. Female pattern baldness

46. Traction Alopecia

47. Alopecia Areata

48. INTRODUCTION
Alopecia areata is a recurrent nonscarring type of hair loss that can affect any hair-bearing area and can manifest in many different patterns . Although, benign it can cause emotional and psychosocial distress.
No known risk factors exist for alopecia areata, except a positive family history. Autoimmune condition.
The exact role of stressful events remains unclear, but they most likely trigger a condition already present in susceptible individuals, rather than acting as the true primary cause.
Associated with other autoimmune diseases viz:
Thyroid disease
Diabetes mellitus
Inflammatory bowel disease
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Vitiligo

49. INTRO cont’d Other comorbid conditions found included the following:
Atopy (allergic rhinitis, asthma, and/or eczema) %
Contact dermatitis and other eczema %
Mental health problems (depression or anxiety) %
Hyperlipidemia %
Hypertension %
Gastroesophageal reflux disease %
Down syndrome
Stressful life events in the 6 months before onset, febrile illnesses, drugs, pregnancy, trauma may be precipitating factor.

50. Signs and symptoms
Alopecia areata most often is asymptomatic, but some patients (14%) experience a burning sensation or pruritus in the affected area. The condition usually is localized when it first appears, as follows:
Single patch - 80%
Two patches - 2.5%
Multiple patches - 7.7%
No correlation exists between the number of patches at onset and subsequent severity.
Frequency of involvement at particular sites is as follows:
Scalp %
Beard - 28% of males
Eyebrows - 3.8%
Extremities - 1.3%

51. CLASSIFICATION (areata)
Reticular - Hair loss is more extensive and the patches coalesce
Ophiasis - Hair loss is localized to the sides and lower back of the scalp
Sisaipho (ophiasis spelled backwards) - Hair loss spares the sides and back of the head
Alopecia totalis - 100% hair loss on the scalp
Alopecia universalis - Complete loss of hair on all hair-bearing areas

52. PATCHY ALOPECIA AREATA

53. OPHIASIS

54. SISIAPHO

55. DIFFUSE ALOPECIA AREATA

56. Presentation
The presence of smooth, slightly erythematous (peach color) or normal-colored alopecic patches is xteristic. Presence of exclamation point hairs (ie, hairs tapered near proximal end) is pathognomonic but not always found.
A positive result from the pull test at the periphery of a patch usually indicates active disease, and further hair loss can be expected.
Additionally, hair loss on other hair-bearing areas also favors the diagnosis. The most common presentation is the appearance of one or many round-to-oval denuded patches.

57. Nail changes
Seen in % of patients. Common with severe forms of alopecia areata:
Pitting (most common)
Opacification
Dystrophic changes,
Others include: Trachyonychia, Beau lines, Onychorrhexis, Onychomadesis, Koilonychias, leukonychia etc.

58. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Exact pathophysiology of alopecia areata remains unknown. Most widely accepted hypothesis is of a T-cell–mediated autoimmune condition that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals.
Using immunofluorescence, antibodies to anagen-phase hair follicles were found in as many as 90% of patients with alopecia areata compared with less than 37% of control subjects.
Histologically, lesional biopsy findings of alopecia areata show a perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate around anagen-phase hair follicles. The infiltrate consists mostly of T-helper cells and, to a lesser extent, T-suppressor cells.

59. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CONT’D
Genetics: Two studies demonstrated that HLA DQ3 (DQB1*03) was found in more than 80% of patients with alopecia areata, which suggests that it can be a marker for general susceptibility to alopecia areata. The studies also found that HLA DQ7 (DQB1*0301) and HLA DR4 (DRB1*0401) were present significantly more in patients with alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.
Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene, may correlate with disease severity.
High association of Down syndrome with alopecia areata suggests involvement of a gene located on chromosome 21.

60. EPIDEMIOLOGY Prevalence in the general population is 0.1-0.2%.
All races are affected equally by alopecia areata
Peak incidence appears to occur from age years.
Some studies show slight female preponderance.

61. DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis usually clinical. A scalp biopsy seldom is needed.
HISTOLOGY: Horizontal sections usually are preferred to vertical sections because they allow examination of multiple hair follicles at different levels.
Most characteristic feature is a peribulbar lymphocytic infiltrate, which appears similar to a swarm of bees. The infiltrate often is sparse and usually involves only a few of the affected hairs in a biopsy specimen.
A significant decrease in terminal hairs is associated with an increase in vellus hairs, with a ratio of 1.1:1 (normal is 7:1). Other helpful findings include pigment incontinence in the hair bulb and follicular stellae.
A shift in Anagen: Telogen ratio (usually about 9:1) in favour of telogen.

62. DIAGNOSIS CONTD Dermoscopy
Presence of yellow dots (95% of pxs). Following histopathological correlation, these yellow dots represent degenerated follicular keratinocytes and sebum contained within the ostium of hair follicles.
Although occasionally seen in advanced male-pattern hair loss, yellow dots are not seen in cases of female-pattern hair loss, scaring alopecia, or telogen effluvium

63. DIFFERENTIALS Androgenetic Alopecia Pseudopelade, Brocq
Telogen Effluvium
Tinea Capitis
Trichotillomania

64. TREATMENT
Treatment is not mandatory as condition is benign, and spontaneous remissions are common. Treatment can be topical or systemic.
Patients with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis usually have a poorer prognosis, and more treatment failure .
CORTICOSTEROIDS
Intralesional corticosteroid therapy is usually recommended with less than 50% involvement viz:
Triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) is used most commonly; concentrations vary from mg/ml; every 4-6 weeks. Side effects: transient atrophy, pain during injection.

65. TREATMENT CONT’D
TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS may be useful, esp in children
Fluocinolone acetonide cream 0.2% twice daily or betamethasone dipropionate cream 0.05%
For refractory alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis, 2.5 g of clobetasol propionate under occlusion with a plastic film 6 days/wk for 6 months helped a minority of patients
Tx must be continued for a minimum of 3 months before regrowth can be expected, and maintenance therapy often is necessary

66. TREATMENT CONTD
Systemic corticosteroids not recommended. May be used for rapidly progressive alopecia areata.
Immunotherapy (> 50% scalp involvement)
Topical immunotherapy is the induction and periodic elicitation of an allergic contact dermatitis by topical application of potent contact allergens
Commonly used agents include squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) and diphencyprone (DPCP). Adverse effect: cervical lymphadenopathy, pigment changes.
Anthralin % (Synthetic derivative of a tree bark extract)
Minoxidil appears to be effective in the treatment of extensive disease (50-99% hair loss) but is of little benefit in alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.
Initial regrowth can be seen within 12 weeks. Continued application needed to achieve cosmetically acceptable regrowth.

67. TREATMENT CONTD Psoralen plus UV-A
Both systemic and topical PUVA therapies have been used
Most patients relapse within few months (4-8 months) after treatment is stopped
Other agents
Topical cyclosporine has shown limited efficacy
Topical tacrolimus
Methotrexate, with or without systemic corticosteroids, has shown mixed results
Biologics did not show efficacy.
Phototherapy.
Cosmetic treatment
Dermatography has been used to camouflage the eyebrows of patients with alopecia areata.
Hairpieces are useful for patients with extensive disease
Surgical intervention has no role in the treatment of alopecia areata.

68. Prognosis Natural history of alopecia areata is unpredictable.
Most patients have only a few focal areas of alopecia, and spontaneous regrowth usually occurs within 1 year.
Less than 10% of patients experience extensive alopecia and less than 1% have alopecia universalis.
Patients with extensive long-standing conditions are less likely to experience significant long-lasting regrowth.
Adverse prognostic factors include nail abnormalities, atopy, onset at a young age, and severe forms of alopecia areata.

69. Patient Education
Patient education is a key factor in alopecia areata. Inform patients of the chronic relapsing nature of alopecia areata. Reassure patients that the condition is benign and does not threaten their general health.
Inform patients that expectations regarding therapy should be realistic.

70. ALOPECIA AREATA (BEARD)

71. ALOPECIA AREATA (FOREARM)

72. Localized Alopecia areata

73. Localized Alopecia areata

74. alopecia totalis

75. alopecia totalis

76. CONCLUSION Alopecia affects both males and females.
Alopecia can be scarring (7-8%) or non-scarring (92%)
Scarring alopecia may be primary or secondary.
Primary scarring may be Lymphocytic, Neutrophilic or mixed.
Mainstay of tx of lymphocytic is anti-inflammatory.
Mainstay of tx of neutrophilic is antibiotics.
Surgery not usually indicated.

77. Conclusion Contd Non-scarring more common.
Androgenic alopecia commonest form. Results from excess androgens (female) or increased sensitivity to antigens (males).
Minoxidil, finasteride, androgen receptor antagonists beneficial
Surgery beneficial
Alopecia areata basically auto-immune.
Immunosupressants/ Immunomodulatory tx mainstay.
Surgery of little benefit.
Counselling essential