Special considerations in adolescents of color with acne and textured hair.

Acne is a common dermatologic condition that affects most adolescents. In adolescents of color with textured hair, it is paramount to consider how hair care practices may affect acne distribution and treatment. Dermatologists should be familiar with hair care cultural norms when treating this population.

A community-based study of hair care practices, scalp disorders and psychological effects on women in a Suburban town in Southwest Nigeria.

Introduction: The scalp hairs on an average African is dry with low tensile strength and a tendency to break easily. This is mostly due to poor penetration of the natural oils on the scalp and the very curly hair texture. Various techniques developed to manage African hair are associated with certain hair and scalp disorders and are sources of distress. Objectives: This was a cross-sectional survey to compare natural African hair and chemically processed (relaxed) hair to determine the effect of hair care and grooming practices on common scalp disorders and the psychological effect in Nigerian women. Subjects and Methods: Questionnaires were administered to women at the market, churches and outreaches with many women in attendance to document the hair grooming practices, common scalp symptoms and psychological effects experienced. They were also examined for the presence of seborrhoeic dermatitis and traction alopecia. Results: The study involved 452 women (62.17%) with relaxed hair and 275 women (37.83%) with natural (untreated) hair. Women with relaxed hair experienced significantly more flaking of the scalp (P = 0.046, x2 = 6.16), hair breakage (P = 0.023, x2 = 11.35) and hair loss (P = 0.020, x2 = 7.87) than those with natural hair. The most common psychological effects of hair scalp disorders in all participants were feeling of uneasiness 142 (19.5%), frustration 49 (6.7%), poor body image 40 (5.5%) and anger 38 (5.2%). Significantly more women with relaxed hair experienced moderate hair loss from traction than women with natural hair (P = 0.014, x2 = 8.52). Conclusion: Nigerian women experienced clinical and psychological distress consequent to their hair grooming practices. Individuals with relaxed hair had more physical symptoms, hair loss and psychological disturbances than those with natural hair.

Marginal Traction Alopecia: Hair Care Practices, Severity Score and Trichoscopic Features in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Marginal traction alopecia (MTA) is commonly observed in adult females. Studies of prevalence, severity, trichoscopy and severity scoring are few. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the community prevalence, pattern, severity score and trichoscopy features of MTA amongst adult Nigerian females. Patient and method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of a cohort of 207 adult females in a community in Lagos, Nigeria. The participants were clinically evaluated for MTA. Sociodemographic, clinical and trichoscopy data was documented. Severity score was documented using the MTA severity score. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 43±12.8 years and the prevalence of MTA was 76.3%. Marginal traction alopecia was frontoccipital in 65.2%. The MTA score was 1-3 in 22.2%, 4-6 in 29.7% and ≥6 in 48.1%. Fringe sign was observed in 30.4%, folliculitis in 9.5% and 13.9% had tight weaves. Trichoscopic features included preserved honeycomb pigment, preserved white dot architecture, varying hair length and single hairs from hair follicles. CONCLUSION: Marginal traction alopecia is common in Nigerian women. It is mostly severe, severity is not significantly associated with haircare practices and it is represented by common trichoscopy features. Appropriate awareness and education of females on hair styles can mitigate this hair loss.

CONTEXTE: L'alopécie de traction marginale (ATM) est couramment observée chez les femmes adultes. Les études de la prévalence, de la gravité, de la trichoscopie et de la notation de la gravité sont peu nombreuses. OBJECTIF: L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence, le modèle, le score de gravité et le score de gravité de la communautaire, le modèle, le score de gravité et les caractéristiques trichoscopiques de l'ATM chez les femmes adultes nigérianes. PATIENTE ET MÉTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude descriptive transversale d'une cohorte de 207 femmes adultes dans une communauté de Lagos, au Nigeria. Les participantes ont été évaluées cliniquement pour l'HTA. Les données socio-démographiques, cliniques et trichoscopiques ont été documentées. Le score de sévérité a été documenté en utilisant le score de gravité de l'ATM. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant. RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen des participants était de 43±12,8 ans et la prévalence de l'ATM était de 76,3 % prévalence de l'AEM était de 76,3%. L'alopécie marginale de traction était frontoccipital dans 65,2 % des cas. Le score de l'ATM était de 1-3 dans 22,2%, 4-6 dans 29,7%. et ≥6 dans 48,1 %. Le signe de la frange a été observé dans 30,4%, la folliculite dans 9,5 % et 13,9 % présentaient des tissages serrés. Les caractéristiques trichoscopiques comprenaient pigment en nid d'abeille préservé, architecture de points blancs préservée, une longueur de cheveux variable et des poils isolés des follicules pileux. CONCLUSION: L'alopécie marginale de traction est fréquente chez les femmes nigérianes. Elle est le plus souvent sévère, sa sévérité n'est pas significativement associée aux pratiques de soins capillaires et elle est représentée par des caractéristiques trichoscopiques communes.Une sensibilisation et une éducation appropriées des femmes en matière de coiffure peuvent atténuer cette perte de cheveux. MOTS CLÉS: Alopécie marginale de traction, Pratiques de soins capillaires, Caractéristiques trichoscopiques, Évaluation de la gravité de l'alopécie de traction marginale.

Knowledge of Traction Alopecia and Hair Care Practices among Adolescents in Keffi, North-Central Nigeria.

Background: Traction alopecia (TA) is the commonest cause of hair loss among women, with a prevalence of 46.2% in Nigeria. Adequate knowledge and good hair care practices can assist in its prevention. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine knowledge of both TA and hair care practices among adolescents in Keffi, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 333 female adolescents in 3 senior secondary schools between November 2019 and February 2020. The participants were randomly selected and interviewed using a questionnaire which sought information about the knowledge of TA and hair care practices. The data were analysed using SPSS 25 statistical software. Results: Overall, the knowledge score was poor in 61.4% of the adolescents. Hair plaiting 86.8% (289/333), use of chemical relaxers 68.8% (229/333), and use of hair covers 88.3% (294/333) were the predominant hair care practices. In total, 90.8% had concurrently relaxed and plaited their hair. Cornrows with own hair were the commonest hair grooming style. The use of hair attachments was believed to be the commonest cause of TA. The use of hijab was the commonest form of hair cover used. Conclusions: The knowledge of TA is poor among female adolescents. A large number engaged in risky hair care practices. Interventions to reduce the knowledge gap will reduce the prevalence of TA. Key Message: The knowledge of traction alopecia is poor among female adolescents in Keffi who engage in traumatic hair practices.