Differentiating Between Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, and Alopecia Areata in Black Patients: Photographic Examples from a Clinical Trial

    November 2024 in “ SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine ”
    Amy McMicheal, Susan Taylor, Valerie Callender, Tiffany Mayo, Susan Ball, Fionn McSwiney, Najwa Somani, Chesahna Kindred
    Image of study
    TLDR Visual signs are crucial for accurately diagnosing and treating different types of hair loss in Black patients.
    The study highlights the diagnostic challenges in differentiating between Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA), Traction Alopecia, and Alopecia Areata (AA) in Black patients, using photographic evidence from a clinical trial. In the BRAVE-AA1 addendum 5 study, 36 patients' scalp photographs were reviewed, revealing that 33% were diagnosed with CCCA or other scarring alopecia, predominantly in females. Key diagnostic signs included scalp pigmentation changes for CCCA, the "fringe sign" for traction alopecia, and asymmetrical bald patches for AA. The study emphasizes that misdiagnosis can occur due to overlapping hair loss patterns, and while photographs aid in diagnosis, they are not definitive without biopsies. The findings underscore the importance of visual signs in tailoring treatment plans for alopecia in Black patients.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 59 results

      community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

      in Will treatment work for me? 2 years ago
      In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.
      Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

      community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

      in Research  692 upvotes 4 months ago
      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.

      community Exploring Bryan Johnson's Hair Routine In Detail

      in Research/Science  64 upvotes 11 months ago
      Bryan Johnson uses a custom hair loss treatment that includes topical finasteride, minoxidil, azelaic acid, diclofenac, tea tree oil, rosemary oil, ginkgo biloba, biotin, and melatonin, which have shown varying degrees of effectiveness with minimal side effects. He also undergoes PRP and laser therapy, and has tried dutasteride mesotherapy.

    Related Research

    1 / 1 results