The Spotted Lunula: Three Patients with Alopecia Areata Exhibited Spotty Absence of Whiteness in the Lunulae of Their Nails

May 1980 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Walter B. Shelley

alopecia areata lunulae matrical epithelium nail plate Wickham's striae

TLDR Alopecia areata can cause spotty white areas on nails.

The document described three patients with alopecia areata who exhibited a spotty absence of the whiteness of the lunulae in their nails. This phenomenon was attributed to defects in the tongue of matrical epithelium beneath the nail plate, which is responsible for the lunula. The study drew an analogy with Wickham's striae, suggesting a similar underlying mechanism.

View this study on jaad.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Alopecia Areata Question

in Treatment 2 upvotes 3 years ago

A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.

community mbp alopecia areata or vitamin deficiency

in Chat 5 months ago

A 19-year-old male has been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 8 months with no progress and is considering seeking a second opinion due to potential misdiagnosis. The discussion revolves around whether the hair loss is due to male pattern baldness, alopecia areata, or a vitamin deficiency.

community Olumiant alternative for Alopecia Areata?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 1 year ago

A user with alopecia areata is considering treatment options like injections or Olumiant but is concerned about cost and whether delaying treatment will lead to permanent hair loss. They are seeking alternative treatments that are more affordable for a college student.

community Covid (likely) induced alopecia areata - now 2nd round of Covid, what can I expect?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 1 year ago

After experiencing hair loss due to alopecia areata following COVID-19 vaccination and infection, the individual saw improvement with steroid treatments and Olumiant. They paused Olumiant during a second COVID-19 infection and expressed concern about potential hair loss flare-ups.

community Onion Juice - An effective topical treatment for Alopecia Areata 🧬

in Treatment 1 year ago

Onion juice, when applied topically, is an effective treatment for Alopecia Areata, showing significant hair regrowth in both males and females. The study suggests it could be interesting to test its effectiveness on Androgenic Alopecia.

community Nearly 40% of Adults with Alopecia Areata Taking OLUMIANT® 4-mg Saw at Least 80% Scalp Hair Coverage at 52 Weeks

in Research/Science 6 upvotes 2 years ago

Nearly 40% of adults with alopecia areata achieved at least 80% scalp hair coverage after 52 weeks of taking OLUMIANT® 4-mg. The conversation distinguishes this success from androgenetic alopecia, which is a different type of hair loss.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.

research Nail Changes in Alopecia Areata: An Update and Review

45 citations, January 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Nail problems are common in people with alopecia areata, often leading to cosmetic and functional issues, but more research is needed for treatment guidelines.