Background: Traction alopecia, as a distinctive disease, was first identified in 1904 but is still a major cause of scarring hair loss in young girls worldwide. Traction alopecia is initially reversible, but if it continues, it can become an irreversible (scarring) form of alopecia. It can be seen across all races due to tightly-pulled hairstyles. The pattern of alopecia depends on the hairstyle causing it, but it most commonly affects the frontotemporal hairline. There are some new clinical features associated with traction alopecia, which are traction folliculitis, the fringe sign, and hair casts (pseudonits) on dermatoscopy. The primary treatment for traction alopecia is to discontinue the contributing excessive hairstyles. Camouflage, anti-inflammatory, or growth-stimulating topical preparations are second-line treatments. In the later stages of permanent scarring form of traction alopecia, hair transplantation may be the only effective treatment. Aim of the study: This study was conducted to study the incidence of traction alopecia among secondary school students in Minia, Upper Egypt. Patients and Methods: A total of 2500 students were recruited from selected secondary schools in Minia, Upper Egypt. The respondents were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire to obtain data from the students.
Results: All 2500 students were female, with a mean age in the 15–18 year range. The prevalence of traction alopecia was 31%. Conclusion: Traction alopecia is a common problem among secondary school children. The incidence of traction alopecia may be increasing due to the use of chemical relaxants and excessive or tight styling of hair. In its early stages, traction alopecia is a reversible form of hair loss that can be reversed if managed early; otherwise, it develops into permanent scarring alopecia.