Everything You Need to Know About Rapunzel Syndrome

This rare syndrome came to light recently when eight-year-old Aditi in Bengaluru was treated for trichobezoar, a condition caused by trichophagia, a compulsion to eat hair, also known as Rapunzel syndrome. Doctors operated on him and removed the 5-inch hairball found in his intestine. We talk to experts about this little-known syndrome.

its rarity

Seen in young women or adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders, this syndrome is usually difficult to detect because a person can live for many years without any symptoms. This is usually seen when the hair ball becomes very large and dense enough to cause severe blockage in the stomach.

early signs

Some of the early symptoms of this problem include a strong urge to pull out your hair. This urge may result from a stressful situation that acts as a trigger. However, this can sometimes happen without any trigger. The affected person may also show abnormal behavior such as patterns of hair pulling, biting, chewing, and swallowing the pulled hair. Repeated pulling of hair leads to the appearance of bald patches on the head. Individuals suffering from this condition may feel a sense of embarrassment and may even show feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.

symptoms

Early signs and symptoms of the disease are persistent severe abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, anemia and barred spots on the head causing hair pulling on examination. Mental retardation may be present in most cases. It is important to identify the early symptoms of trichotillomania – a mental illness that often precedes the development of Rapunzel syndrome. It involves a number of symptoms, including repeated pulling out of hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes or other areas, leading to noticeable thinning or baldness in the affected areas, which can be easily distinguished by a dermatologist from other forms of hair loss. Can be separated from. A common symptom is usually a feeling of tension or anxiety before pulling hair and a feeling of relief or satisfaction after pulling hair. Affected individuals engage in hair pulling in specific situations such as stress or boredom. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control the behavior often characterize this condition. If identified in time, it can prevent further progression of hair ingrowth, leading to hairballs and intestinal obstruction.

Can it be completely cured?

In severe cases of infection, necrosis, or perforation, surgery is performed to remove the hair follicle. However, patients require psychiatrists along with family members to keep the situation under control for the remaining part of their lives.

Dr. Meenakshi Manchanda, Associate Director – Psychiatrist, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, with inputs from Dr. Sneha Sharma, Consultant, Psychiatry, Aakash Healthcare