This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Alopecia areata (comparison with tinea capitis)

Authoring team

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.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.