Alopecia Areata - A hair-loss disease which affects men, women and children. The
onset can be sudden, random and frequently recurrent. The condition can have severe
effects on quality of life and emotional health, impacting on confidence and self-esteem.
Alopecia affects approximately 1.7% of the population and both men and women are
equally affected. About 25% of those affected have a family history of the condition.
Initial presentation most commonly occurs in the late teenage years, early childhood,
or young adulthood, but can happen with those of all ages.
Hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, usually from the scalp. Because
it causes bald spots on the scalp, especially in the first stages, it is sometimes
called spot baldness.
In 1%–2% of cases, the condition can spread to the entire scalp (Alopecia totalis)
or to the entire epidermis (Alopecia universalis).
Odom, Richard B.; Davidsohn, Israel; James, William D.; Henry, John Bernard; Berger,
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Alopecia Areata (AA) - hair loss occurring in patches anywhere on the body.
Alopecia Totalis (AT) - total loss of the hair on the scalp.
Alopecia Universalis (AU) - total loss of all hair on the body.
Alopecia Barbae - loss of facial hair (for a man) especially in the beard area.
Alopecia Mucinosa - results in scaly patches.
Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) - thinning of the hair to an almost transparent state,
in both men or women. Considered to be a hereditary form of hair loss.
Traction Alopecia - usually due to excessive pulling or tension on hair shafts as
a result of certain hair styles. It is seen more often in women. Hair loss depends
on the way the hair is being pulled. Prolonged traction alopecia can stop new hair
follicles developing and lead to permanent hair loss.
Anagen Effluvium - generally caused by chemicals such as those used to treat cancer.
Initially it causes patchy hair loss, which often then becomes total hair loss. The
good news is that when you stop using these chemicals the hair normally grows back.
Other drugs also can cause hair loss. Many medicines used to treat even common diseases
can cause hair loss.
Scarring Alopecia - leaves scarring on the area of hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium - more than normal amounts of hair fall out. There is a general
'thinning' of the hair. Unlike some other hair and scalp conditions, it is temporary
and the hair growth usually recovers.
Cause
The exact cause of alopecia areata isn’t known, although it’s generally considered
to be a disease of the autoimmune system. There is believed to be a genetic component
in some cases and a possible link with stress.
The immune system may attack the affected hair follicles in error. This halts hair
growth (the anagen stage) and causes a move to resting (the telogen phase) where
the hairs are then abruptly shed.
