Photo Derm Diagnosis: A 12-year-old girl with scarring alopecia

A 12-year-old girl was referred to the dermatology clinic of Aleppo University Hospital, Syria with the chief complaint of alopecia centred on the crown. Alopecia started on the apex a year ago and gradually there was obvious decrease in the density of hair which expanded in a centrifugal fashion (Figure 1). Physical examination of involved area of scalp revealed smooth and shiny surface with massive follicular dropout and a few short, brittle hair detectable within the scarred expanse. The patient had no other complaint such as dysesthesia or burning sensation on affected area. There was no evidence of systemic diseases and the patient was not taking any medicine.