Alopecia areata

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Alopecia areata
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Hair loss in patches
Complications	Psychological stress, social anxiety
Onset	Any age, but often in childhood or young adulthood
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Autoimmune disease
Risks	Family history, other autoimmune disorders
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis, trichoscopy
Differential diagnosis	Tinea capitis, trichotillomania, androgenetic alopecia
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, immunotherapy, minoxidil
Medication
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Affects about 2% of people at some point in their life
Deaths

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss in small, round patches on the scalp or other areas of the body. This condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss. Alopecia areata can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender, and its severity can vary from person to person.

Causes and Risk Factors

• The exact cause of alopecia areata is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder.
• Genetic factors may play a role, as individuals with a family history of the condition are more likely to develop it.
• Other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disorders or vitiligo, may be associated with an increased risk of developing alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata

Symptoms

• The primary symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss, which usually occurs in small, round, smooth patches.
• Hair loss can happen suddenly and may affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, or any other area of the body with hair.
• In some cases, the affected areas may experience tingling or itching before hair loss occurs.
• The severity of the condition can vary, with some individuals losing only a few patches of hair and others experiencing complete hair loss on the scalp (alopecia totalis) or the entire body (alopecia universalis).

Diagnosis

A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can usually diagnose alopecia areata by examining the pattern and appearance of hair loss. In some cases, a skin biopsy or blood tests may be performed to rule out other causes of hair loss or to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

There is no cure for alopecia areata, but treatments can help promote hair regrowth and manage the condition. Treatment options include:

• Corticosteroid injections: These injections can help reduce inflammation and stimulate hair regrowth in the affected areas.
• Topical corticosteroids: Creams, lotions, or ointments containing corticosteroids can be applied directly to the affected areas to reduce inflammation and promote hair regrowth.
• Topical minoxidil: This over-the-counter medication, commonly used to treat male and female pattern hair loss, may help stimulate hair regrowth in individuals with alopecia areata.
• Other treatments: In some cases, other medications, such as anthralin or topical immunotherapy, may be recommended to treat more severe cases of alopecia areata.
• It is important to note that not all treatments are effective for everyone, and hair regrowth may be unpredictable. Additionally, even if hair regrows, it is possible for the condition to recur and cause further hair loss in the future.

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