Nail Changes in Alopecia Areata: An Update and Review

January 2018 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Khatiya Chelidze, Shari R. Lipner

alopecia areata nail changes pitting trachyonychia red spotted lunulae onycholysis punctate leukonychia AA

Studysummary This review explores nail changes associated with alopecia areata, noting their prevalence and impact on appearance and function, but reports no new clinical findings; the authors call for larger controlled trials.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The review discussed nail changes in alopecia areata (AA), highlighting their prevalence, clinical features, and management. Nail changes were common in AA, affecting about 30% of patients, with pitting and trachyonychia being the most frequent manifestations, occurring in 20% and 8% of cases, respectively. Other findings included red spotted lunulae, onycholysis, and punctate leukonychia. The review emphasized the need for larger controlled trials to better understand the clinical manifestations and guide treatment options for AA-associated nail changes.

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Research cited in this study

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