Macular Alopecia: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study to Describe an Underrecognized Pattern of Alopecia
April 2025
in “
Pediatric Dermatology
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study identified and described a new form of alopecia termed "macular alopecia," predominantly affecting young Hispanic/Latinx females, characterized by small macules on the scalp with a high rate (63%) of spontaneous resolution in about five months.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This study identifies and describes a previously unrecognized variant of alopecia, termed "macular alopecia," characterized by small macules < 1 cm in diameter. Conducted as a single-center retrospective cohort study, it included 471 patients, with 74 diagnosed with macular alopecia. This variant showed a predominance in females (77%) and Hispanic/Latinx individuals (62%), with a younger median age of onset at 5.9 years. Macular alopecia primarily affected the parietal scalp and demonstrated a higher rate of spontaneous resolution (63%) within a median of 5 months, compared to patchy alopecia areata (AA), which resolved in 20% of cases over a median of 8 months. The study suggests recognizing macular alopecia as a distinct pattern of non-scarring alopecia.
