Alopecia Areata

Question 1

What is alopecia areata?

Answer 1

Autoimmune condition which causes localised well demarcated patches of hair loss

Question 2

What are some other causes of alopecia?

Answer 2

Scarring - destruction of the hair follicle caused by scarring, infections, localised scleroderma, burns/radiotherapy, discoid lupus
Non scarring - Hair follicle is intact so potentially reversible: Autoimmune, SLE, hypothyroidism, male pattern hair loss, trichotillomania, Telogen effluvium (physiological stress induced), traction

Question 3

What are the investigations for alopecia?

Answer 3

Diagosis is usually clinical with history and dermoscopy.
Bloods to look for underlying cause: hypothyroidism, ANA, hormone profile

Question 4

What percentage of patients will recover from alopecia areata

Answer 4

Hair will regrow in 50% of patients by 1 year. 80-90% will eventually regrow hair

Question 5

What are the treatments for alopecia areata?

Answer 5

Topical/intralesional steroids,
Topical minoxidil (vasodilator which dilates local blood vessels to scalp),
Phototherapy
Dithranol,
Contact immunotherapy
Wigs