Pressure alopecia from orthodontic headgear.
Pressure alopecia is a form of nonscarring hair loss that occurs because of chronic pressure. This article reports the appearance of an unusual area of pressure alopecia in a patient who wore headgear. Early diagnosis of this rare pathology is fundamental to obtaining total regression of the disease; although pressure alopecia is initially nonscarring, scarring can develop over time. Orthodontists should be aware that alopecia in predisposed patients can be caused by headgear.
Leonardi
Rosalia
R
Professor and director of Post-Graduate School, Department of Orthodontics, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. rleonard@unict.it
Lombardo
Claudia
C
Loreto
Carla
C
Caltabiano
Rosario
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000505:Alopecia / Q000209:etiology*; D005115:Extraoral Traction Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000628:therapy; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects