The Practitioner
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Alopecia areata is a chronic inflammatory non-scarring condition affecting the hair follicle that leads to hair loss ranging from small well defined patches to complete loss of all body hair. In about 80% of affected individuals there is spontaneous regrowth within a year. It can present at any age, although 60% of patients develop their first episode of hair loss before the age of 20. ⋯ Close examination of the periphery of a lesion with a magnifying glass will often reveal short hairs which taper in diameter from their tip to the point at which they emerge from the skin. These 'exclamation mark' hairs are diagnostic of alopecia areata. Individuals with alopecia areata should be referred for dermatological advice if there is diagnostic uncertainty, they have extensive hair loss, they are suffering severe psychological distress or they would like a wig.