GREASY SCALING PITYRIASIS AMIANTACEA AND ALOPECIA: A SYNDROME IN SEARCH OF A CAUSE

SUMMARY A syndrome consisting of localized areas of greasy scaling of the scalp, partial alopecia, pityriasis amiantacea and groups of hairs in the lesions of pityriasis amiantacea pulling out easily, occurs occasionally in children. Some of the features are suggestive of tinea capitis but repeated fungal cultures are negative. The disorder is slow to respond to non specific treatment, but may have responded slowly to griseofulvin in two patients reported here. This syndrome is described and discussed, and it is postulated that a satisfactory cause has not been found for this unusual disorder.