JAAD OnlineClinical pearlHair cross-sectioning in uncombable hair syndrome: An easy tool for complex diagnosis
Section snippets
Clinical challenge
Uncombable hair syndrome (UHS) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by a typical spun-glass appearance of the scalp hair.1 It usually presents in early childhood with straw, silvery blond unruly hair that completely resists all efforts to control it with a brush or comb (Fig 1, A and B). Hair density and quantity are within normal ranges, and fragility is rare. Some authors prefer the Latin definition pili trianguli et canaliculi to name this condition because of the
Solution
One solution could be the atraumatic and noninvasive hair shaft cutting with subsequent histopathologic examination of the hair cross section; this technique can show the characteristic longitudinal grooves in the hair shaft as well as the triangulated appearance (Fig 1, D). We encourage this diagnostic technique because of its cost-effectiveness, ease, and noninvasiveness for children.
References (2)
- et al.
Uncombable hair syndrome
J Am Acad Dermatol
(2009) - et al.
A case of uncombable hair syndrome: light microscopy, trichoscopy and scanning electron microscopy
Acta Dermatovenerol Croat
(2013)
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