TRICHOSCOPY IN ALOPECIA AREATA : A SUPER TOOL FOR DIAGNOSIS

Objective : Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring form of hair loss¹.Trichoscopy is the study of hair conditions by the use of magnified light sources².Trichoscopy aids in confirmatory diagnosis of Alopecia areata.Objective of our study is to present various presentations of alopecia in trichoscopy.

Methods : 50 patients with Alopecia areata were included in the study. Dermlite 4 Dermoscope (10X magnifications) with polarised light was employed in the study.

Abstract : A Case study of 50 patients both female and male clinically diagnosed with Alopecia areata has been studied to evaluate the trichoscopic findings specific to Alopecia areata and make a final diagnosis.

Results : A total of 50 patients were evaluated and trichoscopic findings of white dots were seen in 45 patients (i.e.90%), black dots in 40 patients (i.e.80%),yellow dots in 25 patients (i.e.50%), broken hairs in 20 patients(i.e.40%), white hairs in 15 patients (i.e.30%), short vellus hairs in 10 patients (i.e.20%), exclamation marks 10 patients (i.e.20%), circle hairs in 6 patients (i.e.12%), tapering hairs in 5 patients (i.e.10%).

Conclusion : Trichoscopy evaluates specific patterns in Alopecia areata to identify disease activity and severity of disease. It helps avoid invasive methods to diagnose& is also cost effective.