Definition

Alopecia areata is an immune disorder that causes hair loss. The immune system attacks healthy tissue that holds the roots of hair called the hair follicle. Damage to this tissue causes hair loss. Alopeica areata may be a brief event or long term, and it may recur.

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Causes    TOP

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This means the immune system creates special antibodies that attack healthy tissue. In this case, the antibodies attack hair follicles and cause hair loss. The exact cause for the change in the immune system is not clear. It is most likely a combination of genes and factors in environment.

Risk Factors    TOP

Alopecia areata is more common in people under 30 years old. Other factors that may increase your chance of alopecia areata include:

• Family history of baldness or hair loss
• Predisposition to allergic skin disease or allergic reactions
• Having another autoimmune disorder, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Hashimoto thyroiditis
• Stress

Symptoms    TOP

Alopecia areata causes sudden, patchy hair loss. Hair loss occurs most often on the scalp, but can happen in beards, eyebrows, or anywhere on the body. Rarely, someone can lose all hair all over their body.

Alopecia areata can also affect the fingernail or toenails. It can cause tiny dents in the nail, discoloration, weakness, and breaking.

Diagnosis    TOP

Your will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will probably be able to make the diagnosis based on the exam.

There are tests that can confirm alopecia areata or rule out other causes of your hair loss. Tests may include:

• Blood tests—to look for other possible autoimmune disease
• Biopsy of scalp tissue to look for changes
• Analyzing samples of hair
• Culture of scalp to look for potential fungal infection

Treatment    TOP

There is no cure for alopecia areata. Hair will grow back on its own for most people. The hair that grows back will look different at first, but will eventually look like it used to. For some, hair will only fall out once, for others the hair may fall out and regrow over several cycles. The pattern of hair loss and growth is unpredictable and can last for years in some. Rarely, the hair will not grow back. This is more common in those with full body hair loss.

Treatment may help the hair regrow faster. Options include:

Prevention    TOP

There are no current guidelines to prevent alopecia areata since the cause is unknown.