NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN DERMOSCOPIC FEATURES OF ALOPECIA AREATA

Background:Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that results in well defined, circular patches of hair loss, affecting both sexes equally, with a lifetime risk of 1.7%. The disease is characterized by the immune privilege destruction of the hair follicle leading to T-lymphocyte infiltration and premature hair follicle cycling. Dermoscopy has become an essential tool for diagnosing AA, with specific trichoscopic features aiding in its recognition. To assess the trichoscopic characteristics of alopecia areata To record n Aim: Objectives: ew developments in trichoscopic features in Alopecia areata Methods: This was a prospective and an observational study which was conducted on 60 patients with AA over the course of one year (June 2023 - June 2024). Participants underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including demographic data, medical history, and detailed examination of alopecic patches. Trichoscopic images were obtained using a Dino-lite Edge digital trichoscope. Results: The study observed a prevalence of specific trichoscopic features, including black dots (95%), yellow dots (77.5%), and vellus hair (67.5%). Other findings included broken hair (39%), tapering hair (42.5%), exclamation mark hair (27.5%), and trichoptilosis (20%). Trichoptilosis, a longitudinal split in the hair shaft, was particularly noteworthy, as it is traditionally associated with Trichotillomania. This finding highlights the potential overlap in features between AA and other hair disorders. Genetic studies fo Limitations: r patients belonging to this particular area who demonstrated an increase in the frequency of trichoptilosis was not done. The st Conclusion: udy demonstrates how trichoscopy aids in diagnosing Alopecia areata and highlights the significance of emerging features such as trichoptilosis. These findings prove that the loss of immune privilege in AA may lead to hair shaft abnormalities, prompting a reconsideration of the differential diagnosis between alopecia areata and other hair disorders such as trichotillomania. Further research is necessary to investigate the underlying mechanisms and clinical significance of these findings.