BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE
DEC 2014
SKIN GURU
TRICHOTILLOMANIA
By Dr. Andrew Forde
Dr. Forde’s Office is located in the Pine
Medical Centre, Suite 3, 3rd Ave, Belleville,
St Michael, Barbados .
Telephone (246) 429 5863
Email: skindeeo@caribsurf.com
T
richotillomania is a self-induced
form of hair loss. Dermatologist
Francois Hallopeau coined the term
derived from the Greek: trich (hair), tillen
(to pull) and mania (an abnormal love for
a specific object, place or action).
This disorder is often seen in children
ages 9-13yrs. In this age group it
represents a repetitive fiddling, twisting
and pulling of the hair. These bad habits
result in hair breakage. Fortunately these
behaviours are not usually permanent.
new growth with tapered ends, or some
uneven stubble.
Most children outgrow this condition with
conservative management. Behaviour
modification programmes and sometimes
referral to psychologists and psychiatrists
are required.
Trichotillomania in adults often represents
varying degrees of anxiety, depression,
unhappiness, post traumatic stress and
even psychosis. Sometimes poor impulse
control
and
obsessive-compulsive
tendencies are involved.
The scalp is the most common site of
involvement and usually one or two areas
develop. The hair loss is asymmetrical
and it often corresponds with the
dominant hand. Patients exhibit hair of
differing lengths; some are broken with
blunt ends, some broken mid-shaft, some
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