Clinical and Dermatoscopic Features of Temporal Triangular Alopecia in Infants

Temporal triangular alopecia (TTA) is a rare, non-inflammatory, and non-scarring form of localized alopecia typically found in the frontotemporal region of the scalp. This study examined 20 children aged 10 months to 4 years, identifying distinct clinical and dermatoscopic features of TTA. Dermatoscopy revealed normal hair follicle openings with vellus hair surrounded by terminal hair, and white vellus hair was a significant indicator in 70% of cases. Misdiagnosis as alopecia areata was common, with a 65% misdiagnosis rate among children who had not undergone dermatoscopic examination. The study emphasizes the importance of dermatoscopy in accurately diagnosing TTA, which can prevent unnecessary treatments and improve diagnostic accuracy. TTA generally does not require treatment, but hair transplantation and surgical resection are potential options.