Definition:
Hypotrichosis is a condition characterized by having a less than normal amount of hair on the head or body. Hypotrichosis is often confused with alopecia, or hair loss. In hypotrichosis as opposes to alopecia, there was never any hair in the first place. In hypotrichosis, the affected area is bald and remains bald for the rest of the life of the patient.
There are three types of hypotrichosis, these are:
1.aplasia cutis congenita, a developmental disorder of unknown origin;
2.triangular alopecia, similar condition to aplasia cutis congenita but is distinguished by the identifying triangular patch in the head;
3.congenital atrichia, a congenital disorder where sometimes an individuals is born with a healthy head of hair but loses it at some point in his or her life.
Treatment:
Most forms of hypotrichosis have no known treatment. For cosmetic purposes, patients with hypotrichosis advised to wear a hat or wig.
Symptoms and Signs:
Individuals suffering from hypotrichosis have less than normal amount of hair on the head and body.
Causes:
Hypotrichosis is caused by a number of factors. Some of the causes of this condition include infection or inflammation of the hair follicles, hereditary hair follicle dysplasias, neoplastic destruction and irradiation. Hallermann-Streiff syndrome often causes this condition.
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