Coiled and Hook Hairs in Trichotillomania

Trichoscopy (Scalp Dermoscopy) of Trichotillomania: Coiled and Hook Hairs

Trichotillomania is a hair loss disorder whereby patients pull out their own hair. Underlying depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder is also present in many patients as well as a range of other psychological conditions. 3-4 % of the world will experience trichotillomania at some point in their lives.

There are several trichoscopic (dermatoscopic) findings in Trichotillomanoa including broken hairs, v-sign, flame hairs, hair powder, tulip hairs, and coiled hairs. The most common are the irregularly broken hairs.

Coiled and hook hairs represents hairs that recoil after being pulled out suddenly. They are found in well about one-third of patients with trichotillomania.

The following is a typical trichoscopic image from the scalp of a patient with trichotillomania showing coiled and hook hairs.

Reference

Rakowska et al. New trichoscopy findings in trichotillomania: flame hairs, V-sign, hook hairs, hair powder, tulip hairs. Acta Derm Venereol. 2014.
#hair #trichology #ttm#trichotillomania #hairloss#trichoscopy #dermoscopy