Alopecia Areata (AA)

Tapered Hairs

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that affects about 2 % of the world. Classically, patients with alopecia areata develop circular or oval shaped well demarcated patches of hair loss. In the very earliest stages however a full circle of hair loss may not be formed but rather one of two hairs among a group of hairs may show signs of the disease being present. A variety of changes in hairs are seen. “Tapered” hairs are hairs that are thick at the top and thin as they enter the scalp. In the photo, tapered hairs are indicated by the arrow.