{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.020719073735527116, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0006093845216331506, 'mean_word_length': 5.149812734082397, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Dermoscopy as a Diagnostic and Evaluation Tools in Childhood Alopecia Totalis

Alopecia totalis is a manifestation of alopecia areata that is characterized by total scalp hair loss and have a higher risk for poor prognosis and treatment failure. Early-onset, nail involvement, history of atopy, and long duration of disease are associated with poor prognosis. Total scalp hair loss in alopecia totalis might have a sudden onset or following partial alopecia. In the case of diffuse scalp hair loss, the clinical finding might be similar to telogen effluvium and trichotillomania. Hence, a biopsy is required to establish the proper diagnosis. However, this invasive diagnostic method is not favorable for most patients, especially children. Several studies have been done to show the reliability of dermoscopy to diagnose alopecia areata. Some dermoscopic features, such as yellow dots, black dots, broken hairs, tapering hair (exclamation marks), and short vellus hairs, are known as characteristic findings in this disease. Sign of hair regrowth might be detected earlier with this technique, and even it is not yet visible with naked eyes. We are reporting an 8-year-old girl with a history of recurrent total scalp hair loss for four years and clinical findings of diffuse hair loss on smooth surface scalp skin, nail pitting, and transverse leukonychia. Initial dermoscopy evaluation revealed characteristic findings of alopecia areata and regrew of short vellus hair was detected earlier with this examination. Therefore, we would like to report the use of dermoscopy as a diagnostic and evaluation tools in childhood alopecia totalis.