Alopecia Areata
Medical Author: Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, PA
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is a hair-loss condition which usually affects
the scalp. It can, however, sometimes affect other areas of the
body. Hair loss tends to be rather rapid and often involves one side
of the head more than the other.
Alopecia areata affects both males and females. This type of hair loss is different than
male-pattern baldness, an inherited condition.
What causes alopecia areata?
Current evidence suggests that alopecia areata is caused by an
abnormality in the immune system. This particular abnormality leads
to autoimmunity. As a result, the immune system attacks particular
tissues of the body. In alopecia areata, for unknown reasons, the
body's own immune system attacks the hair follicles and disrupts
normal hair formation. Biopsies of affected skin show immune cells
inside of the hair follicles where they are not normally present.
What causes this is unknown. Alopecia areata is sometimes associated
with other autoimmune conditions such as allergic disorders, thyroid
disease, vitiligo, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative
colitis. Sometimes, alopecia areata occurs within family members,
suggesting a role of genes and heredity.
What are the different patterns of alopecia areata?
The most common pattern is one or more spots of hair loss on
the scalp. There is also a form of more generalized thinning of hair referred to as diffuse alopecia areata
throughout the scalp. Occasionally, all of the scalp hair is lost, a
condition referred to as alopecia totalis. Less frequently, the loss
of all of the hairs on the entire body, called alopecia universalis, occurs. Sometimes the hair loss can involve the male beard, a condition known as alopecia areata barbe.
Next: Who is affected by alopecia areata? »
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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- Vitiligo - Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, research and treatment of vitiligo, an incurable disorder that causes white patches (pigmentation loss) on the skin. Source:Government
- Hair Loss - Learn about the causes of hair loss (female- and male-pattern baldness, thyroid disease, alopecia) and treatments for thinning hair (Rogaine, transplant, medications). Source:MedicineNet
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