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About Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is characterized by the acute development of round or oval patches of hair loss, typically 2-3 cm in diameter, without scarring of the scalp. Alopecia areata is presumed to be an autoimmune disorder in which T lymphocytes react with antigens aberrantly expressed by hair follicle keratinocytes. It is estimated to affect 0.1 to 0.2% of the population at any time. Onset is usually in early adulthood. Patients are otherwise healthy. A family history is present in about 25% of cases. Hair elsewhere on the body may also be affected, including beard, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Nail pitting may be present, as well as other nail abnormalities. Several autoimmune diseases are associated with alopecia areata, including: atopic diathesis, thyroid disease, vitiligo, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Specific patterns of alopecia areata include:
Alopecia totalis. Complete loss of all scalp hair
Alopecia universalis. Complete loss of all body hair.
Ophiasis. A band of hair loss about the periphery of the temporal and occipital scalp.
Reticular. Recurrent disease, which may have areas of hair loss concurrent with areas where hair is beginning to regrow.
Diffuse. Widespread thinning, or limited to the vertex. Non-pigmented hair may be spared, leading to premature graying.
What looks like alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata can sometimes be confused with other forms of non-scarring alopecia, of which the main differentials are trichotillomania and tinea capitis (fungus infection of the scalp). In trichotillomania the patches of hair loss have ill-defined margins. A KOH preparation and fungal culture can distinguish alopecia areata from tinea capitis. Diffuse alopecia areata may resemble telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopeia.
How is alopecia areata diagnosed?
The acute onset of well-circumscribed round or oval patches of hair loss is consistent with a diagnosis of alopecia areata. Scarring is absent, though there may be some tenderness and erythema. A diagnostic finding is “exclamation point” hairs, which are short broken-off hairs that are narrower toward the scalp. Hairs can be removed with a hair pull test (6 or more hairs). If necessary a biopsy will reveal characteristic findings.
How is alopecia areata treated?
Steroids are the mainstay of treatment, either topical, intralesional, or systemic. Xeljanz, a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to be helpful, and is being studied further in clinical trials for alopecia areata, along with several other new JAK inhibitors. More recently two new oral medications, both JAK inhibitors, have been approved, Olumiant and Litfulo. Methotrexate may be helpful as an adjuvant to systemic corticosteroids. Immunotherapy is also used, including psoralens plus ultraviolet light A (PUVA), induction of allergic contact dermatitis with squaric acid or other contactants, and cyclosporine. Topical or oral minoxidil is also used. Wigs are helpful for cosmetic reasons if hair loss is extensive.
What is the prognosis for alopecia areata?
A small percentage of patients may experience complete loss of all scalp (alopecia totalis) or body (alopecia universalis) hair; few patients with these conditions will exhibit hair regrowth. For more confined disease, the prognosis is unpredictable. The majority of patients will have spontaneous hair regrowth, but the condition may recur. Poor prognostic factors are duration of hair loss of greater than one year, extensive areas of involvement, and an ophiasis pattern.
Other resources for alopecia areata
American Hair Loss Association | Alopecia Areata Registry | National Alopecia Areata Foundation
