A Diagnostic Clue: New Onset Alopecia Sparing White Hairs
December 2023
in “
JAAD Case Reports
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary In this study, a 55-year-old man with a localized patch of alopecia areata achieved hair regrowth through intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections, demonstrating this treatment as an effective initial therapy for localized alopecia areata.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 55-year-old man presented with a 5.5 cm alopecic patch on his scalp, sparing white hairs, following a history of hair loss post-cancer surgery. The case highlights the phenomenon where alopecia areata spares white hairs due to a T cell-mediated autoimmune response targeting pigmented hairs. Treatment with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide led to regrowth of pigmented hair. This case underscores the importance of recognizing treatment-specific regrowth patterns in alopecia areata and the role of intralesional corticosteroids as a first-line therapy for localized cases.
