10- Alopecia

Question 1

Define alopecia

Answer 1

loss of hair

Question 2

Define primary alopecia

Answer 2

failure of hair to grow normally

Question 3

Define secondary alopceia

Answer 3

hair grows normally but subsequently damaged or lost

Question 4

define true alopecia

Answer 4

direct damage to hair follicle unit–> loss of whole hair follicle unit

Question 5

Define apparent alopecia

Answer 5

hair shaft damaged but not lost from hair follicle unit
hair cropped short

Question 6

What phases of the hair cycle does primary alopecia affect and how

Answer 6

Anagen- growth phase - lack of stimulation or abnormal growth factors
Telogen- resting phase- elongation of this phase

Question 7

What is the most common cause of alopecia

Answer 7

Folliculitis –> hair follicle unit is damaged

Question 8

What are 2 common infections which present with alopecia

Answer 8

Demodicosis- dogs
Dermatophytosis- cows, horses, cats
superficial pyoderma

Question 9

What are the 3 distributions of alopecic lesions

Answer 9

localised
multifocal/diffuse patchy
symmetrical/ diffuse

Question 10

In guinea pigs what can cause alopecia

Answer 10

In entire female guinea pigs - ovarian neoplasia

Question 11

how can sertoli cell tumours cause alopecia in entire male dogs

Answer 11

oestrogen production –> alopecia

Question 12

What diagnostic test is used to know if alopecia is true or apparent

Answer 12

Trichogram

Question 13

Name 2 initial tests that are performed on an alopecic patient

Answer 13

Skin scraping (for demodicosis)
Dermatophyte investigation- microscopy/ culture/ woods lamp
Trichogram

Question 14

If your initial tests come back without a diagnosis what further tests could you do for an alopecic patient?

Answer 14

Cytology - pyoderma (will have an underlying disease…)

Skin biopsy:
- Folliculitis, autoimmune, atrophic change- if these suspected

Endocrine changes- if suspected