[Videomicroscopy in alopecia areata]

Dermoscopy findings of alopecia areata in an African-American patient

BACKGROUND

Dermoscopy has been established as an indispensable tool in the diagnosis and follow up of hair disorders. In alopecia areata, dermoscopy of active disease shows yellow dots, dystrophic hairs, as well as cadaverized (black dots) and exclamation mark hairs. Alopecia areata has been reported to occur equally among races, however, until date, there are no published data regarding dermoscopic findings in African-American patient.

MAIN OBSERVATION

We report a case of scalp dermoscopy of alopecia areata in an African-American patient that shows a diffuse honeycomb-like pigmented network, few yellow dots and white dots.

CONCLUSION

This case shows that skin color may affect dermoscopic findings in alopecia areata. In our African-American patient with alopecia areata dermoscopy showed a diffuse honeycomb-like pigmented network, which was previously considered characteristic for androgenic alopecia and white dots, which were considered characteristic for cicatricial alopecia. Further studies are needed to elucidate the presence of white dots in alopecia areata.