Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp
January 2002
in “
Dermatology
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → 
Studysummary This study suggests the existence of a new subtype of alopecia, called 'acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp (ADTAFS)', characterized by acute, diffuse hair loss primarily in women and a rapid recovery. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
In 2002, a study involving 9 female patients identified a new subtype of alopecia, termed Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp (ADTAFS). This condition is characterized by sudden and complete hair loss within a month, without systemic diseases or telogen effluvium as underlying causes. Histological analysis showed similarities to alopecia areata, particularly eosinophilic infiltration, but with distinct differences. The prognosis for ADTAFS was found to be favorable, with 8 out of the 9 patients experiencing cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth within 6 months, and complete remission in 8 patients at least 4 years after onset, despite 2 experiencing recurrences. The study concluded that ADTAFS is a noncicatricial, inflammatory alopecia with a marked female predominance and a short clinical course, and that treatment with steroids did not significantly alter the natural progression of the condition.
