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.
Cited in this study
4 / 4 results
8 citations
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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
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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
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July 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Greying hairs may be protected from alopecia areata.
23 citations
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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.
