Hair pull test: Evidence-based update and revision of guidelines - 18/04/17
Abstract |
Background |
The hair pull test lacks validation and has unclear pretest guidelines.
Objective |
We sought to quantify normal hair pull test values and elucidate the effect of pretest hair washing and brushing. The impact of hair texture and lifestyle was also examined.
Methods |
Participants (n = 181) completed a questionnaire recording demographics, medications, and hair health/history. A single hair pull test (scalp vertex) was performed.
Results |
The mean number of hairs removed per pull was 0.44 (SD 0.75). There was no significant difference in the mean number of hairs removed regardless of when participants washed (P = .20) or brushed (P = .25) their hair. Hair pull test values were similar between Caucasian-, Asian-, and Afro-textured hair. There was no significant difference in hair pull values between participants taking medications affecting hair loss and participants not taking these medications (P = .33). Tight hairstyles did not influence hair pull test values.
Limitations |
Participant hair washing and brushing could not be controlled during the study, but this information was documented and analyzed.
Conclusion |
Normal values for the hair pull test should be reduced to 2 hairs or fewer (97.2% of participants). The current 5-day restriction on pretest hair washing can be reduced and brushing be made permissible.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : acute telogen effluvium, alopecia, alopecia areata, anagen effluvium, clinical examination, clinical guidelines, diagnosis, ethnicity, hair, hair loss, hair pull guidelines, hair pull test, hair texture, loose anagen syndrome, traction test, trichology
Plan
Funding sources: None. |
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Conflicts of interest: None declared. |
Vol 76 - N° 3
P. 472-477 - mars 2017 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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