A case of plica neuropathica

Abstract

Plica neuropathica is a rare disorder of scalp hair commonly encountered in adult females with few case reports in infants, children and adult male. In most of the cases there is psychological disturbance. Patients present with matted hair, sometimes with foul smell, oozing, scaling, and difficulty in combing hair. It is usually encountered in mentally disturbed, superstitious and religious believed patients.  We report a case of plica neuropathica in a 46 year old female associated with frequent rubbing of hair with fingers most probably with underlying psychiatric component.