Atypical Morphological Patterns of Alopecia Areata with Trichoscopic and Histopathologic Correlation: A Case Series
Published: April 1, 2026 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2026/78279.23126
Samuel Jeyaraj Daniel, Saranya Selvam, Balaji Ganesh Jayaraman, Rosemin Jose Meleth
1. Professor and Head, Department of Dermatology, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
3. Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
4. Junior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Rosemin Jose Meleth,
Ponni Hostel, Thanjavur Medical College Road, Thanjavur-613004, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: roseminjose7@gmail.com
Alopecia Areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that affects the hair follicles, clinically characterised by patchy areas of hair loss, commonly affecting the scalp but also involving any hair-bearing area of the body. Various morphological patterns are described till date, the most common being patchy hair loss. Atypical patterns like annular and rectangular AA are also reported. This case series includes three morphological patterns of AA, which differ from classic forms, namely the central sparing pattern characterised by preserved islands of terminal hair within areas of patchy hair loss, the paw pattern in which multiple patches of hair loss cluster together to resemble the shape of a paw, and the punctate pattern marked by numerous small punctate areas of hair loss. Diagnosis of AA was confirmed by trichoscopic and histopathologic features. Awareness of such patterns is essential for dermatologists to aid in proper management. Hereby, the author reports three unusual morphological patterns of AA previously not documented in the literature.
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