{"title":"Alopecia Areata Incognita: Current Evidence.","authors":"Giselle Rodríguez-Tamez, Narges Maskan-Bermudez, Antonella Tosti","doi":"10.1007/s13555-025-01359-5","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Alopecia areata incognita (AAI) represents a distinct subtype of alopecia areata (AA), characterized by profound hair shedding and diffuse thinning. Despite being initially described in 1987, AAI remains underdiagnosed, with limited published reports. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate the current evidence concerning AAI pathogenesis, clinical presentation, trichoscopic and histopathologic attributes, differential diagnoses, and available treatment modalities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed searches were performed to identify all articles discussing AAI published up to September 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 28 articles encompassing AAI epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, trichoscopic findings, histopathologic characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment options.</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>The data primarily stem from observational studies, case reports, case series, and a pilot study. The establishment of diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols necessitates more extensive and well-controlled studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Alopecia areata incognita is a distinctive form of AA, sharing similarities with telogen effluvium (TE) and showing potential associations with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It has an acute onset and results in sudden diffuse hair loss. While diagnostic challenges persist, combining clinical, trichoscopic, and histopathologic evaluations aids in accurate identification. AAI typically responds favorably to topical steroids and has a better prognosis than other subtypes of AA.</p>","PeriodicalId":11186,"journal":{"name":"Dermatology and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"635-645"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11908991/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Dermatology and Therapy","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01359-5","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/2/19 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"DERMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Alopecia areata incognita (AAI) represents a distinct subtype of alopecia areata (AA), characterized by profound hair shedding and diffuse thinning. Despite being initially described in 1987, AAI remains underdiagnosed, with limited published reports. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate the current evidence concerning AAI pathogenesis, clinical presentation, trichoscopic and histopathologic attributes, differential diagnoses, and available treatment modalities.
Methods: PubMed searches were performed to identify all articles discussing AAI published up to September 2024.
Results: We identified 28 articles encompassing AAI epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, trichoscopic findings, histopathologic characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Limitations: The data primarily stem from observational studies, case reports, case series, and a pilot study. The establishment of diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols necessitates more extensive and well-controlled studies.
Conclusion: Alopecia areata incognita is a distinctive form of AA, sharing similarities with telogen effluvium (TE) and showing potential associations with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It has an acute onset and results in sudden diffuse hair loss. While diagnostic challenges persist, combining clinical, trichoscopic, and histopathologic evaluations aids in accurate identification. AAI typically responds favorably to topical steroids and has a better prognosis than other subtypes of AA.
期刊介绍：
Dermatology and Therapy is an international, open access, peer-reviewed, rapid publication journal (peer review in 2 weeks, published 3–4 weeks from acceptance). The journal is dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world, and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of dermatological therapies. Studies relating to diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health and epidemiology, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also encouraged.
Areas of focus include, but are not limited to all clinical aspects of dermatology, such as skin pharmacology; skin development and aging; prevention, diagnosis, and management of skin disorders and melanomas; research into dermal structures and pathology; and all areas of aesthetic dermatology, including skin maintenance, dermatological surgery, and lasers.
The journal is of interest to a broad audience of pharmaceutical and healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, case reports/case series, trial protocols, and short communications. Dermatology and Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an International and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of quality research, which may be considered of insufficient interest by other journals. The journal appeals to a global audience and receives submissions from all over the world.
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