Hair loss in elderly women
Journal
European Journal of Dermatology
Journal Volume
20
Journal Issue
2
Pages
145-151
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
Hair loss in elderly women has been becoming a major topic in the daily practice of dermatology. Aging of hair follicles seems to affect hair growth and pigmentation, the molecular mechanisms of which remain to be elucidated. Further senile changes in physiology and immunity may influence the onset and course of hair diseases. Some preexisting diseases such as androgenetic alopecia usually worsen after menopause, while others, like discoid lupus erythematosus, may attenuate. Hormone surveying, especially with regard to internal androgen-producing tumors, is indicated in postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia of sudden exacerbation or with unusual manifestation or other virilizing signs. The prevalence of alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis appears to be much lower in postmenopausal ages as compared to earlier onset. Acute or chronic telogen effluvium is not uncommonly superimposed on androgenetic alopecia. Trichotillomania shows a marked female predominance in the senile age group with a higher rate of psychopathology. Worldwide, tinea capitis has been increasingly observed in postmenopausal women. Frontal fibrosing alopecia, giant cell arteritis and erosive pustular dermatosis involve mainly elder women leading to scarring alopecia. Alopecia induced by tumor metastasis to the scalp must be considered in women with underlying neoplasms, especially breast cancer. Overall, hair loss in postmenopausal women is often multifactorial and warrants a close inspection.
SDGs
Other Subjects
aged; aging; alopecia; alopecia areata; clinical evaluation; disease predisposition; female; giant cell arteritis; hair loss; human; male type alopecia; metastasis; onset age; pathophysiology; postmenopause; review; scalp hair; tinea capitis; trichotillomania; Aging; Alopecia; Cicatrix; Female; Hair; Hair Follicle; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Neoplasms; Postmenopause; Tinea Capitis; Trichotillomania
Type
review