Current standards in the diagnostics and therapy of hair diseases – hair consultation

Hair and scalp diseases present an extensive diagnostic and therapeutic task. Treating them is often a challenge for the physician in daily practice. Unclear diagnoses, chronic conditions with long‐lasting therapies and the uncertainty of the patient may often lead to unsatisfying situations for both the patient as well as the doctor. The complaints can be divided into (1) hair loss, (2) increased hair growth and (3) abnormal hair quality. A structured history and the objectification of the clinical findings with the help of standardized diagnostic methods and score systems or classifications enable a diagnosis in most patients already at the first visit. Moreover, such structured processes strengthen the treatment satisfaction and compliance of both the patient and the therapist. In the meantime, diagnostic measures and clinical practice guidelines are available for the most common hair disorders. Expertise in basic psychosomatic care and an empathetic approach to the fears and concerns as well as practical advice for the daily contact with hair disorders should be integrated as separate elements in the management of hair diseases; in most cases they are gratefully welcomed by the patients. The aim of this article is to provide the physician with a guideline for the structured management of a hair patient. An overview of recent new developments and the currently available clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and therapy of hair disorders is presented.