Beard Alopecia: An Updated and Comprehensive Review of Etiologies, Presentation and Treatment

Abstract

Facial hair is an important social and psychologic aspect of clinical appearance for men. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the causes of alopecia of the beard including the prevalence, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment. In this review, we highlight more common causes of beard alopecia including alopecia areata and pseudofolliculitis barbae, infectious causes such as tinea barbae and herpes simplex folliculitis, and rare causes including dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis and frontal fibrosing alopecia. This review serves as an important resource for clinicians when faced with patients suffering from beard alopecia.

Answer to: Acquired causes of eyebrow and eyelash loss: A review and approach to diagnosis and treatment

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] These zoophilic agents typically cause inflammatory tinea, resulting in blepharitis and a clinical presentation resembling cellulitis-like conditions 2,4 ; meanwhile, Trichophyton spp., including T. mentagrophytes/interdigitale complex, T. rubrum, T. violaceum, T. tonsurans and M. canisis, are the main causes of parasitization of facial hair. 4,8 In this case, we were able to isolate T. mentagrophytes/ interdigitale complex; this is the most actual taxonomic designation, unless there is a determination by molecular biology of one of the two species; in this case, it should be named T. mentagrophytes or T. interdigitale sensu stricto. 9 Systemic antifungals such griseofulvin and terbinafine are recommended as the treatment of choice for this condition due to the parasitization of the hair follicle; in this case, we prescribed topical and systemic triazoles because of the impossibility of getting griseofulvin in Mexico and because they are included in the essential medicines list provided by the government.…”

Cutaneous Manifestations in Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED): A Comprehensive Review

“…Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition characterized by T-cell-mediated destruction of hair follicles, leading to distinct patches of nonscarring alopecia on any body part. The pathogenesis of AA is complex, involving genetic, epigenetic, immunologic, gut and skin microbiome, allergy, and oxidative stress factors [18,19]. The most commonly affected areas are the scalp and beard, the latter constituting approximately 28% of cases [20].…”