Derm: Alopecia: Free MSRA Podcast

✅ MSRA Deep Dive: Alopecia – Hair Loss, Patterns, and the Psychology BeneathIn this episode, we break down everything you need to know about alopecia, a topic that’s not only medically complex but emotionally loaded. From scarring and non-scarring types to androgenetic patterns, telogen effluvium, and autoimmune causes, we’ll guide you through the entire clinical journey — helping you consolidate facts for the MSRA and beyond.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Alopecia is partial or complete hair loss from the scalp or body• Key classification:Scarring alopecia (permanent follicle loss)Non-scarring alopecia (potential regrowth)📌 Hair Cycle Basics• Anagen (growth): 3–5 years• Catagen (transition): 2 weeks• Telogen (resting): 3 months• Normal shedding: 50–100 hairs/day• Disruption of this cycle underlies many types of hair loss📌 Causes of Alopecia• Genetic and hormonal – Androgenetic alopecia (male/female pattern)• Autoimmune – Alopecia areata• Stress-related – Telogen effluvium• Drug-induced – e.g. chemotherapy (anagen effluvium), corticosteroids• Infective – Tinea capitis, secondary syphilis• Traumatic – Trichotillomania, traction alopecia• Scalp conditions – Lichen planopilaris, lupus, psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis• Endocrine/nutritional – Thyroid disease, iron deficiency📌 High-Yield Terminology• Miniaturisation: Progressive shrinkage of hair follicles due to DHT in androgenetic alopecia• "Glades in the wood": Moth-eaten pattern in secondary syphilis• Kerion: Boggy inflammatory scalp swelling in tinea capitis — risk of scarring• Horseshoe pattern: Classic male baldness distribution• Widened parting: Female pattern thinning• Broken hairs at various lengths: Trichotillomania📌 Risk Factors• Family history (especially in androgenetic alopecia)• Autoimmune disease, thyroid dysfunction• Age – increased risk with ageing• Ethnicity – affects prevalence and presentation (e.g. female pattern more in Caucasians)📌 Clinical Features• Diffuse thinning, distinct bald patches, or complete hair loss• Non-scarring types: Normal-looking scalp• Scarring types: Redness, scaling, and permanent hair loss• Common areas: Scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, body📌 Differential Diagnosis• Telogen effluvium – Sudden diffuse shedding post-stressor• Tinea capitis – Scaling, inflammation, broken hairs• Trichotillomania – Patchy loss, variable hair lengths• Cicatricial alopecia – Signs of inflammation + scarring• Alopecia areata – Smooth bald patches, exclamation mark hairs📌 Investigations• History and examination are key• Scalp biopsy – for difficult or scarring cases• Blood tests – Thyroid, ferritin, androgens• Trichoscopy – Dermatoscope visualisation of follicles📌 Management Overview• Non-drug approaches: Acceptance, wigs, transplants• Psychological support: Counselling and support groups• Medications:Minoxidil (topical) – ↑ anagen phase, ↓ sheddingFinasteride (oral, men only) – Inhibits DHT formation• Immunosuppressants or topical steroids📌 Prognosis• Variable – Some types (e.g. telogen effluvium, alopecia areata) may resolve• Scarring alopecia• Androgenetic: May stabilise or progress slowly; treatment can reduce progression📌 Complications• Permanent hair loss• Psychological distress – Low self-esteem, social isolation, anxiety📚 Resources for MSRA Revision📄 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/alopecia-revision-notes/💬 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/alopecia-flashcards/🧠 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/alopecia-accordion-qa-notes/📝 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/alopecia-rapid-quiz/📘 Dermatology Course:https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/dermatology-for-the-msra/#MSRA #MSRARevision #Alopecia #HairLoss #Dermatology #PatternBaldness #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAAccordions #Minoxidil #Finasteride #Psychodermatology #MedicalRevision #PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA