Elbow Hairs in Alopecia Areata

Trichoscopy of Alopecia Areata: Elbow Hairs

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that affects about 2 % of the world in their lifetime. The condition is associated with inflammation that accumulates at the bottom of hairs deep under the scalp. This inflammation makes it difficult for hair to grow properly. Some hairs don’t grow on account of the inflammation and just fall out of the scalp. Some hairs grow for a bit but then simply snap off producing black dots. Other hairs are able to grow despite that fact that the manufactured hair fiber is so weak. Such fibers often show kinks and bends and may be referred to as “elbow hairs.” These hairs (see arrow in photo below) are quite weak and at increased risk for snapping off.