Syphilitic alopecia is a hair loss characteristic for an uncommon manifestation of secondary syphilis – infectious disease transmitted through sexual contacts. Hair loss appears circa 6 months after the infection and it starts growing again idiopathically after curing the original disease. Syphilitic alopecia can have a character of general or focal thinning of hair. In case of a focal form, hair loss is connected mainly to an occipital or temporal part. It is topical and gives the effect of “fur eaten by moths”. In view of its very characteristic clinical picture, this form of alopecia is perceived as pathognomonic form of syphilis. In connection with the fact that syphilis is a pretty common sexually transmitted disease, the diagnosis of thinning of hair shall be supported by serological tests.

Curing: curing the original disease