Pseudo Alopecia Areata Caused by Skull-caps with Metal Pin Fasteners used by Orthodox Jews in Israel
2003

Pseudo Alopecia Areata from Skull-caps with Metal Pins

Sample size: 37 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): CHAIM YOSEFY, MEIR RONNEN, DENNIS EDELSTEIN

Primary Institution: Clalit Healthcare and Barzilai Medical Center Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ashkelon, Israel

Hypothesis

Is Pseudo Alopecia Areata caused by metal pin fasteners in skull-caps?

Conclusion

Replacing the original pin with a different type and using a larger cupola effectively reduced the lesions in patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • 33.3% of patients with two pins developed additional lesions.
  • 58.8% of patients with a different pin showed immediate improvement.
  • Conservative pharmacological treatments failed to repair lesions.

Takeaway

Some people lose hair because of the metal clips used to hold their skull-caps. Changing the clip and using a bigger cap can help their hair grow back.

Methodology

A prospective open label study with three non-pharmacological treatment methods for patients with scalp AA.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the small sample size and specific demographic.

Limitations

The study was limited to a specific religious group and may not be generalizable to other populations.

Participant Demographics

37 Jewish religious patients (34 males, 3 females) aged 22-52 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/10446670310001642131

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication