TLDR Patchy alopecia areata can affect only pigmented hairs, leaving gray hairs untouched.
This case series from 2014 presented 4 instances of patchy alopecia areata that uniquely spared gray hairs while affecting only pigmented hairs. This rare presentation needed to be distinguished from conditions like vitiligo, the co-occurrence of vitiligo and alopecia areata, and the regrowth of depigmented hair following alopecia areata.
8 citations,
May 2012 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” An 82-year-old woman's hair turned white suddenly, likely due to a rare form of alopecia that targets pigmented hair.
109 citations,
May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.
11 citations,
July 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Greying hairs may be protected from alopecia areata.
23 citations,
April 2002 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Depigmented hair regrowth after alopecia areata can be permanent.
April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology” A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.
