Alopecia Areata: Comprehensive Overview and Histological Characteristics

April 2012 in “ Informa Healthcare eBooks ”

alopecia areata autoimmune condition hair loss lymphocytes hair follicles histological examination peribulbar inflammation matrix injury topical steroids intralesional triamcinolone immunotherapy systemic therapies topical minoxidil dermoscopy yellow dots AA steroids triamcinolone minoxidil

TLDR Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune condition causing varying hair loss, diagnosed by specific patterns of inflammation around hair follicles, with several treatment options available.

The document from April 1, 2012, provides a comprehensive overview of Alopecia areata (AA), detailing its prevalence, onset, clinical presentation, and histological characteristics. AA is a common autoimmune condition that can cause varying degrees of hair loss and affects individuals of all ages and ethnicities. It is characterized by a "swarm of bees" pattern of lymphocytes around hair follicles and can be diagnosed through histological examination. The document outlines the stages of AA, from acute to chronic, and describes the histological changes, including peribulbar inflammation, matrix injury, and the production of smaller, distorted hair shafts. Treatment options are varied and include topical steroids, intralesional triamcinolone, irritants, immunotherapy, systemic therapies, and topical minoxidil as an adjunct. Dermoscopy is useful in diagnosis, showing features like yellow dots. The document also differentiates AA from other conditions with similar histological features by emphasizing the importance of clinical correlation and additional testing for accurate diagnosis.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Alopecia Areata Incognita

14 citations, November 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia Areata Incognita causes widespread hair thinning, and treatment with systemic corticosteroids and psychiatric support can lead to remission.

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of the Yellow Dot Pattern in Alopecia Areata

39 citations, January 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Reflectance confocal microscopy confirms that yellow dots are signs of damaged hair follicles in alopecia areata.

research Congenital Triangular Alopecia: A Close Mimicker of Alopecia Areata

13 citations, January 2011 in “International Journal of Trichology”

CTA is often mistaken for AA but doesn't respond to steroids and may require hair transplantation.

research Alopecia Areata Incognita: A Case Report

19 citations, January 2011 in “Clinics”

A young woman with a rare hair loss condition improved with steroid and biotin treatment.

research Follicular Swiss Cheese Pattern: Another Histopathologic Clue to Alopecia Areata

35 citations, November 2010 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

Dilated follicular infundibula and increased catagen/telogen follicles are key indicators for diagnosing alopecia areata.

research Patients With Profuse Hair Shedding May Reveal Anagen Hair Dystrophy: A Diagnostic Clue of Alopecia Areata Incognita

31 citations, October 2010 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Some people with heavy hair shedding might actually have a hidden form of alopecia, which can be identified by specific hair changes.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations, June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations, January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.

research Acute Diffuse And Total Alopecia: A New Subtype Of Alopecia Areata With A Favorable Prognosis

64 citations, November 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

A new type of rapid hair loss called ADTA usually gets better on its own within 6 months.

research The Role of Scalp Dermoscopy in the Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata Incognita

150 citations, April 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Scalp dermoscopy is good for diagnosing a type of hair loss and helps choose the best spots for biopsy.

research Significance of Dermoscopy in Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp: Review of Twenty Cases

42 citations, January 2008 in “Dermatology”

Dermoscopy effectively distinguishes between acute total hair loss and other types of female hair loss.

research Lymphocytes, Neuropeptides, And Genes Involved In Alopecia Areata

286 citations, August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.

research Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp: A New Subtype of Diffuse Alopecia Areata That Has a Favorable Prognosis – A Reply

29 citations, January 2003 in “Dermatology”

The condition called 'acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp' is actually a known condition named alopecia areata incognita.

research Acute Diffuse and Total Alopecia of the Female Scalp

59 citations, January 2002 in “Dermatology”

A new type of sudden, complete female hair loss was found, with most patients fully recovering within 6 months without needing steroid treatment.

research Role of Cytotoxic T Cells in Chronic Alopecia Areata

127 citations, January 2000 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Cytotoxic T cells cause hair loss in chronic alopecia areata.

research Eosinophils in Fibrous Tracts and Near Hair Bulbs: A Helpful Diagnostic Feature of Alopecia Areata

64 citations, July 1997 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finding eosinophils near hair bulbs helps diagnose alopecia areata.

research Histopathology of Non-Scarring Alopecia

122 citations, April 1995 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

The document describes how to tell different types of non-scarring hair loss apart by looking at hair and scalp tissue under a microscope.

research Alopecia Areata Incognita: A Hypothesis

60 citations, January 1987 in “Dermatology”

Alopecia areata may appear differently depending on the individual's type of hair loss and scalp condition.

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community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

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Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

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How diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA) is not an invitation to self-diagnose oneself with aggressive AGA and that seeking a specialized dermatologist may help people experiencing hair loss. Treatment options discussed include topical clobetasol propionate, oral minoxidil, and discontinuing finasteride.

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research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

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A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.