Alopecia Areata Flashcards
1
Q
Definition
A
- Autoimmune disease of hair follicles preventing hair growth
2
Q
Aetiology
A
- Organ-specific autoimmune disease mediated by T lymphocytes directed at hair follicles.
3
Q
Signs & Symptoms
A
- Signs/symptoms include hair loss, non-scarring alopecia, exclamation mark hairs, positive hair-pull test and normal underlying skin in bare areas.
4
Q
Pathophysiology
A
- Autoimmune nature supported by inflammatory infiltrate of activated CD4 lymphocytes around affected anagen-phase hair bulbs and by the ability to transfer AA by T lymphocytes. - Strong associated with HLA class II alleles.
5
Q
Investigations
A
o Clinical diagnosis
6
Q
Management
A
- Intralesional corticosteroid injections (most common)
- Topical minoxidil stimulates hair
- Anthralin cream
- Topical corticosteroids