ABSTRACT
Hair and nails are two ectodermal structures whose appearance carries important social signals. Disorders involving the hair and nails often cause great psychological distress and can significantly impair the patient’s self-esteem and social functioning. Severe nail pathology can also impair the functional ability of that digit. Dermatologists, in being able to diagnose and offer treatment for hair and nail disorders, can play a vital role in improving patients’ quality of life. Recent years have seen advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of a number of hair and scalp disorders and their treatment. We will consider the most frequently encountered hair and nail disorders where pharmacological treatments can prove beneficial.
