S11 HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN: A PROPOSED DIAGNOSTIC ALGORITHM
Trüeb RM
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland

Few dermatologic complaints carry as much anxiety and emotional distress as hair loss. Most vexing may be the adult female presenting with diffuse hair loss. Nevertheless it is paramount that this symptom is addressed systematically. In addition to its obvious psychological importance, hair loss may be a manifestation of a more general medical problem. Adding to the patient’s worry may be negative experiences with physicians, who tend to trivialize complaints of hair loss. This attitude on the part of physicians may result from lack of knowledge, thereby making them uncomfortable dealing with such patients. Knowledge of the main types of hair loss is prerequisite to providing appropriate patient care. The diagnosis can usually be established with a history, particularly focussing on the chronology of events, examination of the scalp, pattern of hair loss, results of a pull test, examination of the bulbs of shed hairs, and few pertinent screening blood tests. Once the diagnosis has been established, treatment appropriate for that diagnosis is likely to control the hair loss.