Diffuse Loss of Body Hair

CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS MANUAL

Diffuse loss of body hair, also known as diffuse alopecia, is a form of hair loss that affects the scalp uniformly and can extend to other areas of the body. It is less localised than alopecia areata and can be caused by a variety of factors that influence the hair growth cycle.

Pathology	Diagnosis of Suspicion	Diagnosis of Confirmation
Nutritional Deficiencies	History of inadequate diet, symptoms of deficiency such as fatigue and pallor.	Blood tests showing low levels of nutrients such as iron, zinc, or vitamins.
Thyroid Disorders	Symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, intolerance to cold or heat.	Altered thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4).
Androgenetic Alopecia	Hair loss in typical patterns, family history.	Clinical evaluation and, in some cases, scalp biopsy.
Telogen Effluvium	Recent history of severe stress, surgery, illness, or childbirth.	Detailed history and trichological examination showing a large number of hairs in the telogen phase.
Chronic Diseases	General symptoms of chronic illness, such as chronic fatigue, aches, and other signs.	Specific diagnosis of diseases such as lupus or PCOS based on clinical criteria and specific tests.
Medications	Onset of hair loss coinciding with the start of a new medication.	Review of medication and correlation with literature on known side effects.
High Fever, Severe Infections, or Major Surgery	History of recent significant medical events.	Medical history and temporal correlation with hair loss.