In a study of 91 children with treatment-resistant alopecia areata (AA), 69.2% exhibited nail involvement, primarily pitting. This nail involvement was significantly associated with longer disease duration but not with the severity of scalp hair loss. The findings suggest that nail-matrix autoimmune activity may progress independently of scalp severity. Additionally, children without a family history of AA experienced more severe disease and a higher incidence of alopecia totalis or universalis.
This study examined nail involvement in 91 children with treatment-resistant alopecia areata (AA), aged 3.5–14 years. It found that 69.2% of these children had nail involvement, with pitting being the most common feature (74.6%). Nail involvement was significantly associated with longer disease duration (p=0.049) but not with the severity of scalp hair loss (p>0.05). Additionally, children without a family history of AA experienced more severe disease and a higher incidence of alopecia totalis or universalis (p<0.05). The findings suggest that nail-matrix autoimmune activity may progress independently of scalp severity in refractory pediatric AA cases.
March 2026 in “Scholars Journal of Medical Case Reports” Nail issues are common in kids with alopecia areata and should be checked for better diagnosis.
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April 2024 in “Health Science Reports” Younger patients with severe alopecia areata often have nail problems.
January 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology Sciences” Nail changes in alopecia areata are common and may indicate severity and genetic risk.
