Black dots in alopecia areata
"Black dots" represent hair follicles broken off at the level of the skin surface. Black dots are also referred to as cadaverized hairs.
Black dots correlate with disease activity in alopecia areata and are a negative prognostic factor.
Black dots are seen in other conditions besides alopecia areata, including dissecting cellulitis, trichotillomania, tinea capitis and chemotherapy induced alopecia.
This article was written by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a Canadian and US board certified dermatologist specializing exclusively in hair loss.