Alopecia, which is simply a medical term for hair loss, comes in several different forms. The most common, androgenetic alopecia, is the typical loss of hair that occurs on the scalp as one ages. There is some debate among dermatologists if androgenetic alopecia should be considered a disease.
Alopecia areata, which can affect all body hairs, is thought to be a disease of the immune system.
Androgenetic Alopecia
Regardless if androgenetic alopecia is a disease or simply a part of life that people deal with as they get older, its reach is widespread. It is generally known as male pattern baldness and affects an estimated 50 percent of the male population past the age of 50 to some degree.
Women may also suffer from androgenetic alopecia, with the symptoms typically setting in once menopause is reached.
Alopecia Areata Overview
Alopecia areata is a disease in which the body's immune system essentially attacks the hair follicles, which prevents them from growing hair. There are three different types of alopecia areata: alopecia areata, alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is the most common of the three types of disease and typically manifests itself as a loss of hair in patches. While there are no treatments for alopecia areata that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, there are several treatment options available for people who have lost less than half the hair of the scalp. These typically include cortisone shots on the affected area, topical minoxidil and anthralin cream.
Alopecia Areata Totalis
Alopecia areata totalis is the loss of all hair on the scalp and is the second-most common form of alopecia areata. As with all three types of alopecia areata, the hair follicle is not destroyed, and it's possible that hair regrowth will occur without any treatment, although it may be treated using cortisone pills and by a process called topical immunotherapy, which basically involves applying topical solutions to the affected area to create an allergic-type rash in hopes of regrowing hair. Topical minoxidil will not work as a treatment for this type of alopecia areata.
Alopecia Areata Universalis
Aalopecia areata universalis involves the loss of hair from the entire body. It is the most rare of the three forms and is treated in similar fashion to alopecia areata totalis. The New Zealand Dermatological Society states this form of the disease affects less than 1 percent of those with alopecia areata.
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