Hair Shaft Defects

Acquired Progressive Kinking (Whisker hair)

This is an uncommon disorder of terminal and vellus hair of the scalp. It disfigures the structure of a hair strand, in certain targeted regions of the scalp. The characteristics will appear after a slight altering of the hair follicle structure, which will reduce hair growth in certain cases. The hair shaft texture becomes brittle, dull, dry and tightly curled at the bottom with severe kinking resembling woolly hair or pubic hair. There are some noticeable abnormalities of pigmentation, whether hyperpigmentation which results in a darker colour or hypopigmentation which results in a lighter colour. The most affected regions of the scalp are the frontal, temporal, vertex and occipital regions. At this stage the affected hair strands are pushed prematurely from the anagen phase into the telogen, which results in abnormal shedding that may be noticeable. Please call our helpline for more information.

Canities, Leucotrichia and Poliosis (White hair)

Loss of melanin (pigment) from the hair can be grouped into 3 major different categories, though there can be more.

i) Canities is the state of diminishing melanin from the hair bulb, causing a change of hair colour to white. This happens as a gradual process with age. Statistically Caucasians have shown the earliest signs of greying which has been known to start as early as the mid-thirties while in Asian ethnicities this begins in the forties.

ii) Canities Subita is an abnormal and rapid loss of pigment towards white hair. It is associated with acute alopecia areata, stress and trauma. The anagen hair bulb becomes vulnerable to immune attack during alopecia areata. However this can only happen to the pigmented hair, which will result in preferential loss of pigmented hair leaving behind only white hair.

iii) Leucotrichia; this is a Greek word meaning white hair or white tail. This is a pigment disorder targeting the epidermal layer, where the melanocytes reside. The condition happens as a result of an autoimmune disorder and also an imbalance of oxygen in stressed skin. This is also associated with vitiligo, which is a condition that causes the complete loss of pigmentation in patches on the skin and hair.

iv) Poliosis is the hereditary absence or decrease of melanin on areas of the hair, skin, eyelashes and eyebrows. Albinism is complete poliosis, i.e. the absence of melanin from all areas of the skin.

v) Environment or infection; melanin disorders could also follow an injury or event like herpes zoster (shingles) or radiotherapy, in this case the melanocytes have been damaged beyond repair. Please contact our helpline for more information.

Idiopathic Trichoclasia

This is a very rare condition that happens as a result of damage to the hair shaft, however the cause is still unknown hence 'idiopathic'. The condition presents itself with trichorrhexis nodosa, which would be very near to the scalp, but limited to 6mm in length. Hair loss also occurs leaving oval patches where broken hair shafts are found. The patches appear at the vertex of the head or the anterior parietal region. The skin around these areas can be lichenified meaning it appears thickened or leathery, normally this happens due to excessive rubbing. This condition can affect any gender at any age and is usually self-limiting, but it can recur. Please call our helpline for more information.

Monilethrix

This is a rare condition that presents as elliptical nodes along the hair shaft, resembling beads on a string, which is why the condition is sometimes referred to as 'beaded hair'. The hair is very fragile and will remain short as it rarely reaches 2 cm before breaking between the nodes. This is a genetic condition that may also present with alopecia, abnormal nail growth and follicular hyperkeratosis (corneous plugs). Please contact our clinic for more information.

Pediculus Capitis (Head Lice)

This describes the condition of lice infestation on the scalp and hair shaft. These are tiny parasitic creatures that thrive on human blood, which they extract through the scalp or other parts of the body. This can be spread from person to person from sharing clothes and bedding or close contact. The symptoms are itching, redness and the sensation or feeling of crawling creatures on the scalp. Please contact our clinic for more information.

Plica Polonica(Polish Platt)

This is a rare condition, whereby the hair shaft gets irreversibly entwined together or permanently matted. The condition usually occurs as a result of damaged cuticles, which is the outermost layer of the hair shaft that covers and protects the hair cortex. Whenever the cortex layer is left exposed, the hair shaft is prone to damage and this causes the hair shaft to become sticky and porous, resulting in the formation of large chunks of knots, which can emit an odour. Plica polonica is commonly seen after head lice infestation. Some of the clinical features can be an inflamed scalp, itchiness as well as moist and irreversible masses of tangled and intertwined knots. Damaged cuticles from the affected region can be observed under a dermascope. Please contact our clinic for more information.

Trichokinesis

The other name for this condition is 'corkscrew hair'; it is an uncommon hair shaft disorder that is represented by twists that appear on a single hair strand. Trichokinesis can be congenital, acquired or associated with a number of underlying diseases. The onset can be early and is common in children, though it can affect mature and elderly people also. Eyebrows, eyelashes and axillary hair can also be affected and most of the affected hair will be fragile and this will lead to breakage. Please contact our clinic to speak to the consultant.

Woolly Hair Syndrome

This a hereditary type of hair shaft deformity and can be associated with certain underlying conditions in some cases. The underlying diseases could be loose hair anagen syndrome, heart problems, nerve problems and a few others. This is a rare condition that affects Caucasian and Asian hair shafts; with distinguishable characteristics of curly, brittle, twisted, kinky and frizzy hair. Woolly hair syndrome resembles the African type of hair shaft and it can be difficult to comb. This condition can affect the entire hair shaft of the scalp or certain targeted regions of the scalp. The signs of woolly hair can be present at birth but the adolescent are the most affected. These symptoms of woolly hair can reduce to wavy hair as the person grows older. Please contact our clinic for more information.