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Alopecia areata - External and Internal Eye
See also in: Overview,Hair and Scalp,Nail and Distal Digit
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Alopecia areata - External and Internal Eye

See also in: Overview,Hair and Scalp,Nail and Distal Digit
Contributors: Sarah N. Robinson MD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Alopecia areata is a T-lymphocyte mediated autoimmune disease of the hair follicle resulting in nonscarring hair loss. Most cases are limited to 1 or 2 small patches of alopecia that involve the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or body hair, but in severe cases, all of the hair on the scalp is lost (alopecia totalis) or all scalp and body hair is lost (alopecia universalis). History of sudden onset is characteristic. Alopecia areata is seen equally in both sexes and in patients of all ages and ethnicities. There is an increased incidence of alopecia areata in patients with Down syndrome as well as those with autoimmune diseases, most commonly thyroid disease.

The course of alopecia areata is unpredictable, with wide variation in duration and extent of disease occurring from patient to patient. In most patients, hair will eventually spontaneously regrow, although recurrences are common. The condition is treatable but cannot be cured.

A 2022 retrospective population-based study in Taiwan showed an increase in retinal diseases among 9909 patients with alopecia areata. The disease extent and prior steroid treatment were not commented on; further studies are needed to confirm an association.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L63.9 – Alopecia areata, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
68225006 – Alopecia areata

Look For

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Reviewed:04/10/2017
Last Updated:01/04/2023
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Patient Information for Alopecia areata - External and Internal Eye
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Alopecia areata - External and Internal Eye
See also in: Overview,Hair and Scalp,Nail and Distal Digit
A medical illustration showing key findings of Alopecia areata : Sparse eyebrows, Eyelash loss, Round areas of alopecia, Eyebrows
Clinical image of Alopecia areata - imageId=3997565. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A smooth round patch of nonscarring alopecia on the occipital scalp with early hair regrowth after intralesional steroid injection.'
A smooth round patch of nonscarring alopecia on the occipital scalp with early hair regrowth after intralesional steroid injection.
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