Is Alopecia Areata Dangerous?

People with alopecia areata have patchy pattern hair loss. This hair loss will cause no health effects and is not dangerous. However, as with any medical condition or disease, it does come with its own complications. Treatment options for alopecia areata also come with their own individual risks.

What Is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes patchy hair loss. Although alopecia areata is a disorder on its own, the term is nonspecific; it can be caused by many conditions. Alopecia areata has two other forms: alopecia totalis, total loss of hair on the scalp, and alopecia universalis, total loss of hair over the entire body.

Causes

There are many causes for alopecia areata, some are treatable and some are permanent. According to "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book," other forms of alopecia can have areas of patchy hair loss such as cicatricial alopecia, scarring alopecia; telogen effluvium, changes in the normal hair cycle; and traction alopecia, pulling the hair too tightly. Both traction alopecia and cicatricial alopecia can be permanent. Additional causes for alopecia areata are poor nutrition, diseases such as diabetes and lupus, hormonal changes, scalp infections, the hair-pulling disorder trichotillomania, and using harsh hair care products.

Symptoms

Alopecia areata can show up along side other symptoms or on its own, depending on the cause. Tinea capitis, ringworm, for instance, may show up as round, scaly, lesions that may itch or appear inflamed.

Risks and Complications

Aloepcia areata on its own has no health risks. However, depending on the cause, alopecia areata can cause permanent hair loss. If areas of alopecia areata are discovered, contact a health physician for further investigation. MedlinePlus states that alopecia areata can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder, which carries its own risks.

Treatments

There are some treatments that can help reverse alopecia areata, however, some causes will not require treatment. The current treatments are corticosteroids and topical minoxidil. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs used to suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids can be topical and applied to the areas of hair loss, given in pill form or as an injection. The injections are given under the scalp of the affected areas every three to six weeks. Minoxidil can be purchased over-the-counter under the trade name Rogaine. This topical solution should be applied to the areas of alopecia twice a day. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it may take up to 12 weeks to see new growth.