[Telogen effluvium following application of selenium disulfide in the guinea pig]

A standard surfactant solution was applied to one side of the back in 29 male guinea pigs and the same surfactant solution with an addition of 2.5% selenium disulfide to the other side. The application was carried out a total of six times at three-day intervals. The detergent was not washed away to provide an intense exposure to the active substance. Investigations of the hair root status before and after treatment showed significant increase in telogen hair. The present results of animal experiments cannot be transferred without reservations to conventional application in man. However, they may explain isolated observations of diffuse hair loss after treatment with selenium disulfide if one presupposes an especially intense penetration of active substance in these cases.