Alopecia is a common sequela in children undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In most cases, this is a transient state in which full hair regrowth eventually occurs, but permanent or persistent alopecia, defined as the presence of incomplete hair regrowth more than 6 months after cessation of treatment, is possible and can be psychologically distressing. We sought to characterize the risk factors that can lead to permanent alopecia following the aforementioned treatments in pediatric populations, as well as diagnostic and treatment options that may be considered, as part of a scoping review of the literature. A general algorithm for approaching these patients was developed based on our findings.

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Erythromelalgia is a rare neurovascular pain condition characterized by erythematous, warm, and painful extremities. Symptoms are exacerbated by heat and relieved by cooling. Treatment is challenging and focuses on symptom control with various medications and therapies targeted toward eliminating destructive cooling behaviors. This pediatric case was notable because the patient’s pain dramatically improved after a short-term, low-dose ketamine infusion, allowing her to finally wean off detrimental cooling practices of her extremities. Intravenous ketamine has rarely been described as an adjunctive analgesic strategy for erythromelalgia.