Hair shaft аbnormalities: a literature review

Abstract

Hair shaft defects, which are the result of both congenital and acquired pathologies, are usually accompanied by a violation of their physical characteristics and a change in appearance. Hair becomes dull, dry, not elastic, poorly styled, broken. Determining the presence of hair fragility formed the basis for the classification of heterogeneous abnormalities of the hair shaft and their division into two groups. The similarity of clinical symptoms and the impossibility of visual verification of the diagnosis dictate the need for additional research methods (dermatoscopy, microscopy, histology), the results of which will help to correctly diagnose. Knowledge of the nuances of the clinical picture, the main dermatoscopic and microscopic markers, the distinctive features of the course of various anomalies of the hair rods expands the capabilities of practicing trichologists, cosmetologists, dermatovenerologists and doctors of other specialties in the field of diagnosis, therapy and prevention of structural hair changes. The literature review presents the main clinical, dermatoscopic, microscopic and histological signs of various disorders of hair shafts.