A Puzzling Presentation of Alopecia Areata: Sudden-Onset Whitening of Hair and Its Spontaneous Resolution
July 2023
in “
International Journal of Trichology
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary In this case report, a 39-year-old man with sudden whitening of scalp hair due to alopecia areata experienced total regrowth of pigmented hair after six months without systemic treatment.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 39-year-old male experienced sudden-onset whitening of hair on his scalp, beard, and eyebrows, along with hair loss, which was diagnosed as alopecia areata incognita. Despite the initial plan for systemic steroid treatment, only a topical steroid was used due to COVID-19 concerns. Remarkably, after 6 months, there was complete regrowth of pigmented hair. This case highlights a rare presentation of alopecia areata, where selective loss of pigmented hairs occurred, supporting the theory that melanogenesis-associated antigens may trigger an immune response. The study emphasizes the complexity of alopecia areata and its potential spontaneous resolution.
