Acquired Progressive Kinking of the Hair

Abstract

The clinical findings in three new cases of acquired progressive kinking of the hair, all in females, are reported, and a review of all previously reported cases is presented. Acquired progressive kinking of the hair is an acquired disorder of hair formation in which patches of hair become tightly curled and resemble pubic hair. It seems to be more common in males and is associated with darkening of the involved hair in about two thirds of the patients. The differential diagnosis includes inherited forms of kinky hair and kinky hair secondary to mechanical, chemical, or traumatic manipulation. Drugs are infrequently implicated in its causation.

Diseases of cutaneous appendages

“…[637][638][639][640] Acquired progressive kinking of the hair tends to occur in males who subsequently develop a male pattern alopecia of fairly rapid onset. It is sometimes considered to be a variant of woolly hair, but is best regarded as a distinct entity on the basis of its onset at or after puberty, the involvement of certain regions of the scalp rather than the entire scalp, and the tendency for affected hair to resemble pubic hair both in texture and color.…”

Pediatric Dermatology Photoquiz: A 14‐Year‐Old Boy with Abrupt‐Onset Hair Changes

“…This APKH type has been reported in postpubertal boys and men 14 to 22 years of age . Typically limited to the frontotemporal, parietal, and vertex scalp , affected hair becomes curled, frizzy, and lusterless , similar in appearance to pubic hair . In another APKH type, also called “whisker hair,” periauricular parietal and occipital scalp are involved .…”

“…In evaluating pathologic hair kinking or frizziness, in addition to excluding chemical damage and physical trauma to the hair, determining whether the condition is acquired or congenital is important. If onset is at or shortly after birth, the differential diagnosis includes wooly hair nevus, pili torti, and congenital syndromes such as Menkes, Bjornstad, and Crandall syndromes . Pili torti and drug‐related hair curliness, such as a rarely reported reaction to isotretinoin , should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acquired hair kinking in that specific clinical setting.…”

Acquired progressive kinking of hair affecting the scalp and eyelashes in an adult woman

“…Acquired hair kinking in adult women is rarely reported 1 . The differential diagnosis includes drug‐induced hair kinking, DPWH, and APKH.…”

“…Acquired kinking of scalp hair in adults is an unusual phenomenon and rarely reported 1 . There are several possible aetiologies, including drug‐induced changes, diffuse partial woolly hair (DPWH) and acquired progressive kinking of hair (APKH).…”