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Trichotillomania and Traction Alopecia

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Atlas of Trichoscopy

Abstract

Trichoscopy of trichotillomania is characterized by a chaotic pattern of diverse features related to hair fracturing. The most characteristic features are hairs broken at different lengths, short hairs with trichoptilosis (“split ends”), irregular coiled hairs, amorphous hair residues, and black dots. Micro–exclamation mark hairs are rare in trichotillomania, but they may be a diagnostic pitfall and lead to misdiagnosis of alopecia areata. Trichoscopic features of traction alopecia and traumatic cicatricial marginal alopecia are described briefly in this chapter.

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Correspondence to Lidia Rudnicka .

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Rudnicka, L., Olszewska, M., Rakowska, A. (2012). Trichotillomania and Traction Alopecia. In: Rudnicka, L., Olszewska, M., Rakowska, A. (eds) Atlas of Trichoscopy. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4486-1_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4486-1_20

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4485-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4486-1

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