Patchy Hair Loss in an Otherwise Healthy Man
September 2013
in “
Canadian Medical Association Journal
”
TLDR Alopecia areata causes sudden hair loss, often resolves within a year, but can recur.
A 35-year-old man presented with a sudden patch of hair loss on his scalp, diagnosed as alopecia areata, an immune-mediated condition. Alopecia areata can vary from small patches to complete hair loss on the scalp and body. Diagnosis is typically clinical, with no routine tests required unless there is diagnostic uncertainty. Management options include waiting for spontaneous regrowth, intralesional corticosteroids, and topical immunotherapy, with varying success rates. Referral to a dermatologist is recommended for extensive or treatment-resistant cases. The prognosis is unpredictable, with most cases resolving within a year but a high likelihood of recurrence.
