Premium
Tick bite alopecia
Author(s) -
HEYL T.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2230.1982.tb02472.x
Subject(s) - tick , scalp , saliva , dermatology , hair loss , medicine , pathology , necrosis , biology , veterinary medicine
Summary The clinical and histological findings in two cases of tick bite alopecia of the scalp are described and possible pathogenetic mechanisms discussed. It is suggested that the central hair loss is the result of tissue necrosis, while the surrounding alopecia is either due to precipitate and abnormal telogen caused by the digestive tick saliva which becomes progressively diluted and less destructive as it spreads through the tissues or alternatively to an unknown toxin present in the saliva of the offending tick.