Alopecia areata incognita

Alopecia areata incognita, also known as diffuse alopecia areata, is a rare form of alopecia areata described predominantly in young women. In cases of alopecia areata incognita, the typical patchy distribution of hair loss in classical alopecia areata is absent, but abrupt and intense hair loss is characteristic. While the clinical picture presented by this disease closely resembles that of telogen effluvium, specific clinical and dermoscopic findings of alopecia areata are invariably present along the disease course. Prognosis is generally favorable, especially as compared to certain variants of alopecia areata, namely, alopecia areata totalis, universalis and ophiasic areata.