Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp Associated with Borrelia-Infection

A case of acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp associated with Borrelia-infection (acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans) is presented. Today, acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp is recognized as a distinct variant of alopecia areata (AA) predominantly observed in women. Cases of AA have formerly been reported in association with infections. AA is understood to represent an organ-specific autoimmune disease of the hair follicle. It is conceivable that the antigenic stimulus provided by the infection may act as a trigger for alopecia. Vice versa, alopecia may act as a marker for detection of undiagnosed infection. Treatment of the patient with intravenous ceftriaxone led to the resolution of cutaneous borreliosis, and in addition to topical clobetasol foam to complete recovery of hair.