Pull test (alopecia)
- the hair pull test is done by grasping approximately 40 to 60 hairs between the thumb and fore-finger and applying steady traction (slightly stretching the scalp) as you slide your fingers along the length of the hair
- in general, only a few hairs in the telogen phase can be plucked in this fashion. Less than 10 percent is considered normal, whereas greater than this is considered indicative of a pathologic process
Reference:
- Shapiro J, Wiseman M, Lui H. Practical management of hair loss. Can Fam Physician. 2000 Jul;46:1469-77
- Mounsey AL, Reed SW.Diagnosing and Treating Hair Loss. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Aug 15;80(4):356-362.
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