title: Localized scalp hair shedding caused by Pheidole ants and overwiew of similar case reports.
abstract: Localized hair shedding caused by Pheidole ants is reported as a newly recognized type of hair loss, mimicking alopecia areata. We report two cases from Kerman, Iran. This sudden hair loss demonstrates that ants such as the Pheidole dimorphic species can cause hair shedding. Fairly clean cutting of the scalp hair takes place just a few micrometers above the skin surface and simulates alopecia areata or mechanical shaving of scalp hair. This infestation has not been reported from other countries, and this report is the second from Iran.
authors.affiliation: Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. shamsadini@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shamsadini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp