Trichostasis spinulosa explained

Trichostasis spinulosa should not be confused with Trichodysplasia spinulosa.

Specialty:	Dermatology

Trichostasis spinulosa is a common but rarely diagnosed disorder of the hair follicles^[1] that clinically gives the impression of blackheads, but the follicles are filled with funnel-shaped, horny plugs that are bundles of vellus hairs.^[2]

Signs and symptoms

Trichostasis spinulosa can appear in several ways, such as open comedones or elevated follicular spicules, or it can stay invisible. Lesions on the face, cheek, and nose are frequently found in the patients.^[3]

Causes

The exact etiology of trichostasis spinulosa is unknown. There have been suggestions for congenital variables such hair follicle dysplasia as well as extrinsic elements like dust, oils, UV light, heat, and allergens. According to one theory, hyperkeratosis in the follicular infundibulum causes hair shaft entrapment, which prevents regular hair shedding.^[4]

Diagnosis

Standard skin surface biopsy (SSSB) is a noninvasive method used for diagnosis.

Favre-Racouchot syndrome, eruptive vellus hair cysts, keratosis pilaris, and comedogenic acne are among the conditions that might be identified as differential diagnoses for facial trichostasis spinulosa.^[4]

Treatment

Various therapeutic techniques, such as hydroactive adhesive tapes, local keratolytics, oral and local retinoids, have been tested with varying degrees of success.^[5] Capryloyl salicylic acid peelings performed repeatedly have produced positive results.^[6]

See also

• List of cutaneous conditions

Further reading

• Strobos . Michiel A. . Jonkman . Marcel F. . Trichostasis spinulosa: itchy follicular papules in young adults . International Journal of Dermatology . Wiley . 41 . 10 . 2002 . 0011-9059 . 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01508.x . 643–646 . none.
• Chagas . Flavianne Sobral Cardoso . Donati . Aline . Soares . Isabella Ibrahim Doche . Valente . Neusa Sakai . Romiti . Ricardo . Trichostasis spinulosa of the scalp mimicking Alopecia Areata black dots . Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia . FapUNIFESP (SciELO) . 89 . 4 . 2014 . 0365-0596 . 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142407 . 685–687 . none.

External links

• DermNet
• VisualDx

Notes and References

1. Gündüz. Özge. Aytekin, Asli . Trichostasis Spinulosa Confirmed by Standard Skin Surface Biopsy. International Journal of Trichology. 1 January 2012. 4. 4. 273–4. 10.4103/0974-7753.111201. 23766613. 3681110 . free .
2. James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. .
3. Harford . Robert R. . Cobb . Mark W. . Miller . Matthew L. . Trichostasis Spinulosa: A Clinical Simulant of Acne Open Comedones . Pediatric Dermatology . Wiley . 13 . 6 . 1996 . 0736-8046 . 10.1111/j.1525-1470.1996.tb00731.x . 490–492.
4. Kundu . Tamalika . Kundu . Arunava . Gon . Sonia . Trichostasis spinulosa: An unusual diagnosis presenting as a double lower eyelid . International Journal of Trichology . Medknow . 8 . 1 . 2016 . 0974-7753 . 10.4103/0974-7753.179396 . free . 21. 4830167 .
5. Gutte . RameshwarM . Itchy Black Hair Bristles on Back . International Journal of Trichology . Medknow . 4 . 4 . 2012 . 0974-7753 . 10.4103/0974-7753.111210 . free . 285. 3681115 .
6. Naveen . KikkeriNarayanasetty . Shetty . SurajR . Trichostasis spinulosa: An overlooked entity . Indian Dermatology Online Journal . Medknow . 5 . 6 . 2014 . 2229-5178 . 10.4103/2229-5178.146195 . free . 132. 4290179 .