Sometimes you need a biopsy of the scalp to diagnose alopecia. Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss.
Why it’s important to diagnose alopecia
Hair loss, or alopecia, although not life-threatening, is distressing to most people. Aside from the affect on our appearance, however, we may also worry that hair loss is a symptom of some other underlying health problem. Hair loss has a number of causes. The treatments for hair loss need to address the specific cause.
Most people think of the common genetic type of hair loss know as androgenetic alopecia but there are many other types. And in addition to the nusance of less hair where we want it, hair loss may represent other problems. The evaluation of hair loss is sometimes what detects issues such as a medication reaction, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disease, lupus or even syphilis.
In addition to the fact that people loose hair due to a variety of factors, some types of hair loss are not reversible if caught too late. This is called scarring alopecia. Conditions that cause scarring of the hair follicles can progress to permanent balding. This is another reason it is important correctly identify to cause of hair loss.
Why Biopsy of the Scalp to Diagnose Alopecia?
Before we run out and buy the first solution offered to get our hair to grow back, it’s important to understand that before any treatment is started, it’s important to know why one is losing one’s hair. It’s important to get a diagnosis. Sometimes diagnosing hair loss requires a scalp biopsy.
Some causes of hair loss can be determined with history and physical examination. At times, however, your dermatologist may want to get more information. This is when a punch biopsy of the scalp is helpful.
What is a Biopsy of the Scalp?
A scalp biopsy is a minor surgical procedure in which a piece of the scalp is taken for evaluation. A punch biopsy of the scalp is typically done in the dermatologist’s office. After numbing the skin with lidocaine, the rest of the procedure begins. A circular, cookie-cutter shaped, pencil-eraser sized scalpel called a punch is used to take a small piece of skin from the affected area of the scalp.
This piece of skin, the specimen, is then sent to a dermatopathologist. A dermatopathologist is medical doctor with expertise in examining skin, hair and nail tissue under the microscope. Microscopic examination can provide valuable information toward an accurate diagnosis.
Getting a scalp biopsy is particularly helpful, and important, when trying to diagnosis scarring alopecia, which is can cause permanent hair loss. Sometimes, even for an expert, it is challenging to know which of several conditions is causing hair loss just on clinical exam. This is when your dermatologist might suggest a biopsy of the scalp.
And remember, you can also suggest a biopsy if you are suffering with hair loss and your doctor doesn’t seem certain of the diagnosis.
Got hair loss? Looking for a ” black dermatologist near me ” in New York City? Author Dr. Dina Strachan provides excellent care to patients of all skin types!
