Clinical Significance of Dermoscopy in Alopecia Areata: Analysis of 300 Cases

June 2008 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Shigeki Inui, Takeshi Nakajima, Kōichi Nakagawa, Satoshi Itami

alopecia areata black dots tapering hairs broken hairs yellow dots short vellus hairs dermoscopy AA

TLDR Dermoscopy helps diagnose and manage alopecia areata by showing specific hair changes.

The study analyzed dermoscopic features in 300 Asian patients with alopecia areata (AA) and found that black dots, tapering hairs, broken hairs, yellow dots, and short vellus hairs were characteristic of the condition. These features were useful for diagnosing AA and assessing its severity and activity. Yellow dots and short vellus hairs were sensitive markers for diagnosis, while black dots, tapering hairs, and broken hairs were specific indicators of active disease. The presence of short vellus hairs suggested potential for hair regrowth and a nondestructive nature of AA. The study concluded that dermoscopy is a valuable tool for clinicians in diagnosing and managing AA.

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