Alopecia

Question 1

Alopecia defintiion

Answer 1

Autoimmune disease where inflammatory cells target the hair follicle, thus preventing hair growth

Question 2

Classification

Answer 2

SALT tool

• patchy alopecia areata
• alopecia totalis, indicating total loss of sclap hair
• alopicia universalis, referring to loss of hair over the entire scalp and body

Question 3

Clinical features of alopecia areata

Answer 3

• Well circumscribed area of hair loss
• non -scarring
• follicular architecture intact
• Hair pull test positive
• vellous white hair growth
• exclamation stubble hairs
• occasionaly nail changes - pitting/longitudinal ridging

Question 4

Aetiology

Answer 4

• exact mechanisms unknown but autoimmne process targeting hair root melanocytes may be genetic predisposition/ FH

Question 5

Treatment

Answer 5

• topical steroids
• intralesional injected steroids i.e trimcinolone injection into alipecia patch
• irriant contact dermatitis treatment (to stimulate reaction in hair follicles) ie DCP treatment
• UVB phototherapy to scaly
• Clinical photography for monitoring

Question 6

Patterns of non-scarring alopecia areata

Answer 6

• single patch
• miltiple patches
• whiespread/diffuse
• alopecia totalis (whole scalp_
• alopecia universalis (all scalp and body hair)
• ophiasis occipital

Question 7

other conditions resulting in hair loss that may scar

Answer 7

• acute.chronic telogen effuvium
• androgenic male pattern hair loss
• discoid lupus
• lichen plano pilaris
• sphylisus
• untreated tinea capitis