Exam

Hair Pull Test

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Hair Pull Test

  • Indications
  1. Alopecia
  • Preparation
  1. Do not Shampoo hair 24 hours before test
  • Technique
  1. Grasp small clump (40-60 hairs) in index, middle and thumb
  2. Pull hairs gently but with firm pressure
  • Interpretation
  • Count hairs shed with maneuver
  1. Normal shedding: <10% of hairs pulled (or 4-6 or fewer hairs shed)
    1. May also be falsely negative due to inadequate force
  2. Active shedding: More than 10% of hairs pulled or 4-6 or more hairs shed
    1. Telogen Effluvium
    2. Anagen Effluvium
    3. Alopecia Areata
  • References
  1. Shapiro (2000) Can Fam Physician 46:1469-77 [PubMed]