Finnegan Paula, Goh YiXuan, Murphy Michelle, O'Connor Cathal
Department of Dermatology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
Skin Appendage Disord. 2025 Apr;11(2):182-185. doi: 10.1159/000541809. Epub 2024 Nov 5.
Alopecia is common and can lead to significant distress for patients. Patients often seek medical information on the Internet, which may leave them susceptible to misinformation from poor-quality sources. The aim of this study was to qualitatively assess misinformation available online related to alopecia.
Several alopecia-related myths were identified, including false causes, criticism of conventional treatments, and bogus "natural" cures or remedies. False causes included headwear, haircare practices, and sexual practices. Treatments which were criticized included minoxidil, finasteride, topical corticosteroids, ciclosporin, methotrexate, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Alternative unfounded therapies which were touted included mineral supplements, biotin, B vitamin complexes, fish oils, shark cartilage, onion juice, rosemary oil, horsetail extract, and saw palmetto.
Misinformation related to alopecia is prevalent online and may lead to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Dermatologists and other healthcare professionals should combat misinformation when encountered.
脱发很常见，会给患者带来极大困扰。患者常常在互联网上寻求医学信息，这可能使他们容易受到来自低质量来源的错误信息的影响。本研究的目的是定性评估网上可得的与脱发相关的错误信息。
识别出了几个与脱发相关的误区，包括错误的病因、对传统治疗方法的批评以及虚假的“天然”疗法或补救措施。错误的病因包括头饰、头发护理习惯和性行为。受到批评的治疗方法包括米诺地尔、非那雄胺、外用皮质类固醇、环孢素、甲氨蝶呤和 Janus 激酶抑制剂。被吹捧的其他毫无根据的疗法包括矿物质补充剂、生物素、复合维生素 B、鱼油、鲨鱼软骨、洋葱汁、迷迭香油、马尾草提取物和锯棕榈。
与脱发相关的错误信息在网上很普遍，可能导致治疗效果不佳。皮肤科医生和其他医疗保健专业人员在遇到时应抵制错误信息。
