Alopecia Areata Incognita: A Hypothesis
October 2009
in “
Dermatology
”
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Studysummary This article proposes a hypothesis for alopecia areata hair loss patterns and provides epidemiological evidence supporting distinct hair loss characteristics between general cases and those with androgenetic alopecia; it presents no new clinical results.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In 1987, Alfredo Rebora hypothesized that alopecia areata (AA) is more likely to manifest as distinct patches in individuals with a low percentage of telogen hairs and who have a group of hairs in the early anagen VI subphase within a specific scalp zone. Conversely, those with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may experience a diffuse form of AA, termed alopecia areata incognita, which resembles telogen effluvium. This hypothesis was supported by a study involving 90 male patients with AA and 107 control patients with other dermatological conditions, which showed that AA was more common in individuals with normal scalps or minor forms of seborrheic alopecia, indicating that the presentation of AA may vary depending on the extent of balding present.
