Summary
Definition
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the hair follicles resulting in nonscarring hair loss, affecting scalp and body hair.[1][2] Typically, one or more small round patch of hair loss without atrophy is noticed. This patchy hair loss may regrow spontaneously. In other cases there can be extensive patchy hair loss and in rare cases there is total body hair loss (alopecia areata universalis), or total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis).
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Alopecia areataProvided by Paradi Mirmirani, MD [Citation ends].
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- hair loss
- nonscarring alopecia
- exclamation point hairs
- normal underlying skin in bare areas
- nail pitting
Other diagnostic factors
- autoimmunity
Risk factors
- autoimmune disease
- family history of autoimmune disease
Investigações diagnósticas
Primeiras investigações a serem solicitadas
- clinical diagnosis
- positive hair pull test
Investigações a serem consideradas
- skin biopsy
- trichoscopy
Algoritmo de tratamento
limited hair loss (treatment desired)
limited hair loss (no treatment desired)
extensive hair loss (treatment desired)
extensive hair loss (no treatment desired)
Colaboradores
Autores
Fong Seng Lim, MBBS, MMed (FM), FAMS
Senior Consultant
Department of Family Medicine
National University Health System
Singapore
Declarações
FSL declares that he has no competing interests.
Miny Samuel, PhD
Assistant Director
Research Support Unit
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore
Singapore
Declarações
MS declares that she has no competing interests.
Agradecimentos
Dr Fong Seng Lim and Dr Miny Samuel would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Richard A. Strick, Dr Jack Green, and Dr Paradi Mirmirani, previous contributors to this topic. RAS is an honorary member of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) clinical scientific advisory board. JG is an author of a reference cited in this topic. PM declares that he has no competing interests.
Revisores
Maria Hordinsky, MD
Professor and Chair
Department of Dermatology
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis
MN
Declarações
MH declares that she has no competing interests.
Ralph M. Trueb, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Dermatology
University Hospital of Zurich
Zurich
Switzerland
Declarações
RMT is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Créditos aos pareceristas
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Declarações
As afiliações e declarações dos pareceristas referem--se ao momento da revisão.
Referências
Principais artigos
Olsen EA, Hordinsky MK, Price VH, et al. Alopecia areata investigational assessment guidelines: part II. National Alopecia Areata Foundation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:440-447. Resumo
Hordinsky MK. Medical treatment of noncicatricial alopecia. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2006;25:51-55. Resumo
Messenger AG, McKillop J, Farrant P, et al. British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of alopecia areata 2012. Br J Dermatol. 2012;166:916-926. Resumo
Artigos de referência
Uma lista completa das fontes referenciadas neste tópico está disponível para os usuários com acesso total ao BMJ Best Practice.
Diagnósticos diferenciais
- Trichotillomania
- Tinea capitis
- Telogen effluvium
Mais Diagnósticos diferenciaisDiretrizes
- British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of alopecia areata 2012
- Alopecia areata investigational assessment guidelines: part II
Mais DiretrizesFolhetos informativos para os pacientes
Alopecia areata
Mais Folhetos informativos para os pacientes
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