Relevance of Trichoscopy in the Differential Diagnosis of Alopecia: A Cross-Sectional Study from North India
January 2016
in “
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
”
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Studysummary This study found that trichoscopy was useful in diagnosing different types of alopecia, with specific trichoscopic features aiding in the differential diagnosis.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In 2016, a study at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences involving 120 patients found trichoscopy to be a valuable tool in diagnosing various types of alopecia. The most common trichoscopic findings were yellow dots (63.3% of patients) and thin hair (40.8% of patients). In alopecia areata, the most frequent findings were yellow dots (87.5%), black dots (79%), and exclamation mark hair (70.9%). In androgenetic alopecia, yellow dots, hair shaft diameter diversity, and thin hair were the prominent features. Despite the study's limitations, such as a small number of patients in each group and some patients having received prior treatment elsewhere, trichoscopy helped reach a conclusive diagnosis in 19 out of 21 unclear cases.
