TLDR Trichoscopy helps tell apart alopecia areata and trichotillomania in Asians by looking at specific hair and scalp features.
The study by Khunkhet, Vachiramon, and Suchonwanit, which included 52 patients with alopecia areata (AA) and 23 patients with trichotillomania (TTM), demonstrated that trichoscopy can be used to distinguish between AA and TTM in Asians. Key trichoscopic features indicative of AA were exclamation mark hairs, tapered hairs, yellow dots, and angulated hairs, while TTM was characterized by broken hairs of different lengths, trichoptilosis, V-sign, flame hairs, and hair powder. The study found that flame hairs were highly specific for TTM, and angulated hairs were specific for AA in Asians. It also noted that yellow dots were less prevalent in Asians than in Caucasians, possibly due to skin tone differences. The presence of hair powder in AA was reported for the first time, challenging the notion that it was exclusive to TTM. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and lack of histopathological confirmation in some cases, the study concluded that a comprehensive analysis of trichoscopic findings is essential for accurate diagnosis, as features can overlap and may not always be present.
33 citations,
September 2012 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Chemotherapy can cause hair changes similar to alopecia areata, which might lead to misdiagnosis.
245 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.
178 citations,
December 2011 in “Journal of Dermatological Case Reports” Trichoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosing different hair and scalp diseases by their unique visual features.
66 citations,
November 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” A handheld dermatoscope helps diagnose different types of hair loss effectively.
76 citations,
January 2011 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology/Indian journal of dermatology” Dermoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosing and managing alopecia areata.
196 citations,
June 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Dermoscopy helps diagnose and manage alopecia areata by showing specific hair changes.
304 citations,
July 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Videodermoscopy improves diagnosis of hair and scalp disorders and may reduce scalp biopsies.
1 citations,
September 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Baricitinib helps grow eyebrows and eyelashes in severe alopecia areata patients.
January 2021 in “Indian journal of dermatopathology and diagnostic dermatology” Trichoscopy is a reliable method for diagnosing hair and scalp disorders quickly and non-invasively.
89 citations,
March 2018 in “The Journal of Dermatology” Trichoscopy helps diagnose and monitor alopecia areata by looking at a combination of specific hair and scalp features.
43 citations,
August 2013 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Trichoscopy is good for diagnosing and monitoring hair and scalp problems in children but needs more research for certain conditions.
245 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.
