Trichoscopy of Alopecia Areata: Analysis of 215 Cases

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is i a common form of localized, nonscarring hair loss. It is characterized by loss of hair in patches, total loss of scalp hair (alopecia totalis), or total loss of scalp and body hair (alopecia universalis). The etiology of the disease is still unknown, although the evidence suggests that AA is an immunologically mediated disease.

Trichoscopy represents the dermoscopy imaging of the scalp and hair. Structures which may be visualized by trichoscopy include hair shafts, hair follicle openings, perifollicular epidermis and cutaneous microvessels. The aim of this prospective study was to identify the trichoscopic features of alopecia areata.

Methods: A total of 215 patients with clinically diagnosed AA were enrolled in this study. Data on age, gender, personal and family history, clinical pattern and duration of disease were collected and analyzed. Trichoscopic examination was performed using either videodermatoscope or handheld dermatoscope.

Results: The most common trichoscopic findings of alopecia areata were yellow dots seen in 169 (78.60%) patients, followed by black dots in 115 (53.49%) cases, exclamation mark hairs in 107 (49.77%) cases and tapered hairs in 99 (46.05%) patients. Short vellus hairs were observed in 91 (42.32%) patients. Trichoscopic results of AA were similar in all clinical types of the disease.

Conclusions: Our study has shown the significances of trichoscopy of patients with AA.