alopecia areata (comparison with tinea capitis)
Last reviewed 10/2022
Tinea capitis:
- more common in children
- may also effect siblings at the same time
- alopecia may be associated with itchiness
- scalp shows scaling, and areas of irregular hair loss, with broken hairs
- may be a kerion
Alopecia areata:
- affects any age and both sexes
- may have a family history of auto-immune disease or alopecia areata
- exclamation mark hairs (located at the edge of the patch of alopecia) are pathognomonic
- localised, round bald patches generally develop suddenly over one or two weeks, without any preceding symptoms
- finger nails may be pitted and ridged
See more details about these conditions in the linked terms below.