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.