Trichoscopy for Common Hair Loss Diseases: Algorithmic Method for Diagnosis

The document from 2010 discusses trichoscopy, a diagnostic tool for hair loss diseases, and introduces an algorithmic approach based on trichoscopic signs. It outlines specific features for alopecia areata (AA), such as black dots and exclamation mark hairs; for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), including hair diameter diversity (HDD) over 20% and yellow dots; and for cicatricial alopecia (CA), characterized by the absence of follicular orifices and signs like perifollicular erythema. The proposed algorithm aids clinicians in diagnosis, with a biopsy recommended when there is a discrepancy between clinical and trichoscopic findings. The document acknowledges that this method is for typical cases and may need future updates.