<P> Trichoscopy may aid in establishing the diagnosis . In alopecia areata, trichoscopy shows regularly distributed "yellow dots" (hyperkeratotic plugs), small exclamation - mark hairs, and "black dots" (destroyed hairs in the hair follicle opening). </P> <P> A biopsy is rarely needed to make the diagnosis or aid in the management of alopecia areata . Histologic findings include peribulbar lymphocytic infiltrate ("swarm of bees"). Occasionally, in inactive alopecia areata, no inflammatory infiltrates are found . Other helpful findings include pigment incontinence in the hair bulb and follicular stelae, and a shift in the anagen - to - telogen ratio towards telogen . </P> <P> Commonly, alopecia areata involves hair loss in one or more round spots on the scalp . </P> <Ul> <Li> Hair may also be lost more diffusely over the whole scalp, in which case the condition is called diffuse alopecia areata . </Li> <Li> Alopecia areata monolocularis describes baldness in only one spot . It may occur anywhere on the head . </Li> <Li> Alopecia areata multilocularis refers to multiple areas of hair loss . </Li> <Li> Ophiasis refers to hair loss in the shape of a wave at the circumference of the head . </Li> <Li> The disease may be limited only to the beard, in which case it is called alopecia areata barbae . </Li> <Li> If the person loses all the hair on the scalp, the disease is then called alopecia areata totalis . </Li> <Li> If all body hair, including pubic hair, is lost, the diagnosis then becomes alopecia areata universalis . </Li> </Ul>

Hair loss in the back of the head