Different Diagnoses Techniques for Hair Diseases

Hair diseases are one of the frequently recorded disorders and are a growing threat amongst the people. There are numerous sorts of hair disease indentified in the field of medical science and treatment decided for every kind of hair issue depends on its root cause. Hence, it is essential to undergo diagnoses in order to determine the actual factor stimulating hair loss or hair issues in the victim.

Below are some commonly adopted diagnoses techniques for hair diseases:

Hair pull diagnoses:

This diagnosis technique includes pulling of hair strands to understand the phenomenon. The count of hair strands plucked from the scalp offers an idea of the count of follicles present under the skin in telogen condition. As compared to anagen hair strands, telogen hair strands can be easily pulled out from their root. This means that during the hair plucking test telogen hair is pulled out from the scalp leaving the anagen hair strands on the scalp. During such test, 5 to 15 hair strands pulled from the scalp may indicate normal condition; however, any number above 15 denotes higher number of follicles in telogen state.

Hair-pluck diagnosis technique:

Hair pluck diagnosis is also referred to as trichogram test. In such tests, hair strands are tried to pluck from the scalp in order to inspect the root of the hair. To perform the diagnoses, a tweezers with rubber tip is utilized to grasp upto 50 hair strands. This diagnosis may prove to be a little painful for a short time, as the hair strands are plucked from the root rapidly. The test performer may then cut the tip of hair to make it as short as 1 cm, leaving the root untouched. Then the hair strands are soaked in a microscopic slide which is wet. Subsequently, a 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde dye is applied to the hair strands. If the hair root is telogen, then it will not be influenced by the mixture; however, anagen hair root will change the color. The dermatologist will also be able to explain any abnormalities identified through the test.

Laboratory testing to determine hair loss issue:

If the cause of hair loss is rare and unidentified then several laboratory testing may help in identifying the issue. Localized hair loss issue can be determined using potassium hydroxide test. This helps in identifying any hair loss issues related to ringworm or infection. In such diagnoses a small part of scalp skin is treated with potassium hydroxide and is placed on slide under microscope, which helps in detecting presence of fungal infection if any. Blood testing may also be conducted in order to detect any viral infection or other issues.

Skin Biopsy diagnoses:

Skin biopsy is generally diagnosed to detect cicatrical alopecia. A skin portion measuring 2 to 4 mm from the scalp is placed under microscope for assessment. Then the severity of the damage to the follicles of the hair is checked. Most procedures do not take too much and are usually simple. These tests offer an evident report which helps the dermatologist to understand and explain the issue.

Diagnosis of hair issues is considered to be essential as it is the first step of the treatment and helps in determining a suitable treatment course for the victim.

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