Hair and Scalp Disorders

January 2020

Gisela D’Atri, Luis Enrique Sánchez Dueñas, Horacio Cabo

alopecia areata diffuse alopecia areata patchy hair loss acute diffuse hair loss dermatoscopy dystrophic hairs black dots exclamation mark hairs

TLDR Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss, and certain hair features can suggest its presence.

The document discussed alopecia areata (AA), highlighting its typical presentation as patchy hair loss and a less common form known as diffuse AA, characterized by acute diffuse hair loss. Dermatoscopy was emphasized as a valuable tool for examining scalp skin and hair fibers, identifying features such as dystrophic hairs and black dots, which are frequent but nonspecific. Exclamation mark hairs were noted as characteristic of AA, and while not definitive, their presence was highly suggestive of the condition.

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Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Trichoscopy of Alopecia Areata: An Update

89 citations , March 2018 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Trichoscopy helps diagnose and monitor alopecia areata by looking at a combination of specific hair and scalp features.

research Trichoscopy of Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp: Exclamation Mark Hairs and White Dots as Markers of Disease Chronicity

15 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Exclamation mark hairs suggest early scalp disease, while white dots indicate it's chronic.

research A New Subtype of Lichen Planopilaris Affecting Vellus Hairs and Clinically Mimicking Androgenetic Alopecia

9 citations , September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

New LPP subtype affects vellus hairs, mimics AGA, and needs biopsy for diagnosis.

research Lichen Planopilaris in the Androgenetic Alopecia Area: A Pitfall for Hair Transplantation

14 citations , January 2015 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Misdiagnosis of LPP in AGA patients can cause hair transplant issues.

research Dermoscopy-Guided Scalp Biopsy in Cicatricial Alopecia

62 citations , March 2012 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Using dermoscopy to guide scalp biopsies is an effective way to diagnose cicatricial alopecia.

research Dermoscopic Pattern of Cicatricial Alopecia Caused by Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Lichen Planopilaris

73 citations , April 2010 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

Dermoscopy helps diagnose and monitor treatment for hair loss from scarring conditions like discoid lupus and lichen planopilaris.

research Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

158 citations , February 2000 in “Archives of dermatology”

Some people with pattern hair loss may also have scalp inflammation and scarring similar to lichen planopilaris.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Clinical and Dermatoscopic Features of Temporal Triangular Alopecia in Infants

2 citations , March 2023 in “Skin research and technology”

Temporal triangular alopecia in infants is mostly seen in males at birth, with unique features that help with diagnosis.

Review of Representative Trichoscopic Findings in Androgenetic and Alopecia Areata Patients Visiting Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at University Hospital

research Review of Representative Trichoscopic Findings in Androgenetic and Alopecia Areata Patients Visiting Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at University Hospital

November 2016 in “대한피부과학회지”

The document's conclusion cannot be summarized as it is not provided in a language I can understand.

Hair and Scalp Disorders

Research cited in this study

research Trichoscopy of Alopecia Areata: An Update

research Trichoscopy of Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp: Exclamation Mark Hairs and White Dots as Markers of Disease Chronicity

research A New Subtype of Lichen Planopilaris Affecting Vellus Hairs and Clinically Mimicking Androgenetic Alopecia

research Lichen Planopilaris in the Androgenetic Alopecia Area: A Pitfall for Hair Transplantation

research Dermoscopy-Guided Scalp Biopsy in Cicatricial Alopecia

research Dermoscopic Pattern of Cicatricial Alopecia Caused by Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Lichen Planopilaris

research Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

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Related Research

research Clinical and Dermatoscopic Features of Temporal Triangular Alopecia in Infants

research Review of Representative Trichoscopic Findings in Androgenetic and Alopecia Areata Patients Visiting Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at University Hospital