Trichotillomania: a good response to treatment with N-acetylcysteine

Livia Ariane Lopes Barroso, Flavia Sternberg, Maria Natalia Inacio de Fraia E Souza, Gisele Jacobino de Barros Nunes, Livia Ariane Lopes Barroso, Flavia Sternberg, Maria Natalia Inacio de Fraia E Souza, Gisele Jacobino de Barros Nunes

Abstract

Trichotillomania is considered a behavioral disorder and is characterized by the recurring habit of pulling one's hair, resulting in secondary alopecia. It affects 1% of the adult population, and 2 to 4.4% of psychiatric patients meet the diagnostic criteria. It can occur at any age and is more prevalent in adolescents and females. Its occurrence in childhood is not uncommon and tends to have a more favorable clinical course. The scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes are the most commonly affected sites. Glutamate modulating agents, such as N-acetylcysteine, have been shown to be a promising treatment. N-acetylcysteine acts by reducing oxidative stress and normalizing glutaminergic transmission. In this paper, we report a case of trichotillomania with an excellent response to N-acetylcysteine.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: none.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Significant thinning of the hair in the frontal region
Figure 2
Figure 2
Presence of thinning hair with hairs of different lengths
Figure 3
Figure 3
Dermoscopy showing broken hairs of different lengths, black spots and a V-sig
Figure 4
Figure 4
Improvement after six months of treatment

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Source: PubMed

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