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Alopecia Areata of the Beard: A Review of the Literature

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Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder in which inflammatory cells attack the hair follicle, resulting in round, well-circumscribed patches of noncicatricial hair loss in normal appearing skin. AA affecting the beard area is well known and is referred to as AA of the beard (BAA) or AA barbae when involvement is limited exclusively to the beard. BAA has been documented in a select number of studies. We review the literature and discuss the clinical features, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of BAA. Clinical presentation of BAA can vary and manifest as single small areas of hair loss, multiple small or large simultaneous focuses, or total hair loss. Most patients are middle-aged males with focal patches of round or oval hair loss, mostly localized along the jawline. Patches are characteristically well circumscribed and smooth with white hair present at the periphery. Dermoscopic features of BAA include yellow dots, broken hair, and short vellus hairs. BAA may be associated with other autoimmune disorders, including atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and psoriasis. Many treatment modalities are available for BAA, and selection of a therapy depends on several factors, including disease activity, extent of area affected, duration of disease, and age of the patient. Topical corticosteroids are most commonly used as initial treatment, followed by intralesional steroids. Other therapeutic modalities are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1475 NW 12th Ave., Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Jessica Cervantes, Raymond M. Fertig, Austin Maddy & Antonella Tosti

Authors
  1. Jessica Cervantes
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  2. Raymond M. Fertig
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  3. Austin Maddy
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  4. Antonella Tosti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica Cervantes.

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Conflict of interest

Jessica Cervantes, Raymond M. Fertig, Austin Maddy, and Antonella Tosti have no conflicts of interest and no commercial associations with any product or device described in the article. Dr. Antonella Tosti has served as a consultant for P&G and DS Laboratories; as Principal Investigator for Incyte and Pfizer; has received author royalties from Taylor & Francis; is the Editor in chief for Karger Publishers; and is on the scientific board for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

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Cervantes, J., Fertig, R.M., Maddy, A. et al. Alopecia Areata of the Beard: A Review of the Literature. Am J Clin Dermatol 18, 789–796 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-017-0297-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-017-0297-6

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