Alopecia syphilitica

Abstract

Alopecia syphilitica is a less common manifestation of secondary syphilis. It could present with other mucocutaneous symptoms of secondary syphilis or rarely present as the only symptom of secondary syphilis, the so-called "essential syphilitic alopecia." Herein, we present a case of essential syphilitic alopecia to remind physicians, especially for sexually active patients.

Keywords: Alopecia; alopecia syphilitica; secondary syphilis.

Figure 1

Diffuse thinning of the hair on the right temporal scalp

Figure 2

Several small, patches of hair loss, compatible with “moth-eaten” alopecia, on the left temporal scalp