摘要
Background: Hair loss occurs in all ethnic populations, but the etiology varie s considerably from group to group. In black women, many forms of alopecia are a ssociated with hair care practices. However, the causes of alopecias in African women have not been extensively investigated. Objective: This descriptive, cross -sectional, hospital-based study was undertaken to document common complaints on initial presentation for hair loss, hair care practices and patterns of hair loss, and to determine if there is a relationship between hair loss and hair car e practices. Methods: A total of 39 female patients seen over a 12 month period were enrolled in the study. Demographic information recorded included age, sex, marital status and occupation. Information regarding medical history included in itial presenting complaints, duration of hair loss, site of hair loss, whether t here was skin or systemic involvement, hair care practices and the duration of t hese practices. Examination of the scalp, a hair-pull test, documentation of th e pattern of hair loss, relevant laboratory tests and biopsies were carried out. Results: All 39 patients were adults. Major complaints at initial presentation, apart from hair loss, included itchy scalp in 17 patients (43.6%), painful sca lp in 11 patients (28.2%), hair breakage in seven patients (17.9%) and flaking scalp in four patients (10.3%). All the women relaxed their hair at some point in time. Chemical relaxants were consistently used by 22 patients (53.7%), eig ht patients (20.5%) alternated these with plaits/braids, and nine patients (23. 1%) wore extensions. The use of local concoctions in hair care managementwas re ported by three patients (7.7%). Scarred alopecias were observed in 20 patients (51.3%), while 19 (48.7%) had nonscarred alopecias. Those who reported prolon ged and frequent use of chemical relaxants [mean duration (±standard deviation) 23.2±9.3 years] exhibited scarred alopecia more commonly than those who did no t often use chemical relaxants (P < 0.001). The application of local concoctions or pomades was also a regular practice amongst females with scarred alopecias. Conclusions: Itchiness, pain, ready hair breakage and flaking scalp were common complaints at initial presentation. A range of alopecias were documented, and it was also observed that duration of hair care practice and hair styling were rel evant to hair loss, particularly for women with central centifugal cicatricial a lopecias (CCCAs), which resulted in scarring.
Background: Hair loss occurs in all ethnic populations, but the etiology varie s considerably from group to group. In black women, many forms of alopecia are a ssociated with hair care practices. However, the causes of alopecias in African women have not been extensively investigated. Objective: This descriptive, cross -sectional, hospital-based study was undertaken to document common complaints on initial presentation for hair loss, hair care practices and patterns of hair loss, and to determine if there is a relationship between hair loss and hair car e practices. Methods: A total of 39 female patients seen over a 12 month period were enrolled in the study. Demographic information recorded included age, sex, marital status and occupation. Information regarding medical history included in itial presenting complaints, duration of hair loss, site of hair loss, whether t here was skin or systemic involvement, hair care practices and the duration of t hese practices. Examination of the scalp, a hair-pull test, documentation of th e pattern of hair loss, relevant laboratory tests and biopsies were carried out. Results: All 39 patients were adults. Major complaints at initial presentation, apart from hair loss, included itchy scalp in 17 patients (43.6%), painful sca lp in 11 patients (28.2%), hair breakage in seven patients (17.9%) and flaking scalp in four patients (10.3%). All the women relaxed their hair at some point in time. Chemical relaxants were consistently used by 22 patients (53.7%), eig ht patients (20.5%) alternated these with plaits/braids, and nine patients (23. 1%) wore extensions. The use of local concoctions in hair care managementwas re ported by three patients (7.7%). Scarred alopecias were observed in 20 patients (51.3%), while 19 (48.7%) had nonscarred alopecias. Those who reported prolon ged and frequent use of chemical relaxants [mean duration (±standard deviation) 23.2±9.3 years] exhibited scarred alopecia more commonly than those who did no t often use chemical relaxants (P < 0.001). The application of local concoctions or pomades was also a regular practice amongst females with scarred alopecias. Conclusions: Itchiness, pain, ready hair breakage and flaking scalp were common complaints at initial presentation. A range of alopecias were documented, and it was also observed that duration of hair care practice and hair styling were rel evant to hair loss, particularly for women with central centifugal cicatricial a lopecias (CCCAs), which resulted in scarring.
