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The cutaneous features of dermatomyositis include malar rash, a photosensitive erythema and poikiloderma, Gottron's papules, heliotrope rash, and periungual telangiectasia. Scalp disease has not been considered a manifestation of the disease and is probably often overlooked. These clinical investigators report their findings in all 17 patients with dermatomyositis seen in their clinics over a five-year period.
Chart review revealed that 14 of the 17 patients had scalp involvement. All patients had diffuse, scaly erythema throughout the scalp with areas of atrophy. Six of the 14 patients had non-scarring alopecia. In 7 patients, the scalp involvement was present before the diagnosis of dermatomyositis; 5 of these patients were misdiagnosed as…