Alopecia Areata

摘要

A 32-year-old man presented with round, smooth, bald areas that had recently developed on his neck and chin. No other areas of the body were affected. The patient had a lifelong history of chronic anxiety. Discussion. He was diagnosed with alopecia areata of the beard, an area that is affected less often than the scalp. This disease usually occurs suddenly in persons younger than age 40 and may be at single or multiple sites. Typically, the skin is smooth or features poorly defined hair shafts that break easily at the skin surface. Microscopic examination of the hair demonstrates a normal upper shaft with a narrowed base and a lymphocytic perifol-licular infiltrate. Regrowth often begins within several months; however, the condition can recur in the same or other locations. Patients with limited involvement have an excellent prognosis.