If you suffer from alopecia areata, you're not alone. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, around 4.7 million Americans suffer from this potentially embarrassing, stigmatizing condition. Alopecia areata is an unpredictable autoimmune disease that results in hair loss in patches on your scalp and possibly elsewhere on your body. The symptoms and prognosis are different for everyone.
Types
There are three main types of alopecia areata, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. In the most common type, known simply as alopecia areata, hair loss occurs in patches, usually on the scalp. Another type, known as alopecia areata totalis, causes total hair loss on the scalp. The least common form of alopecia, known as alopecia areata universalis, results in complete hair loss on your scalp and body.
Causes
The exact cause of alopecia areata is not known. Hereditary factors may play a role, although it's not entirely clear what these factors may be. One out of five people suffering from alopecia areata has a family member who has also had the condition, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Considerations
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, which means the body mistakenly perceives a threat and starts to attack itself. Your body's white blood cells, which normally are responsible for fending off infections, start to attack your hair follicles. This causes a shrinking of the hair follicles, which slows down the growth of hair, eventually leading to a total cessation of hair growth. Typically, the hair loss is not permanent, as the hair follicles are still alive, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Your hair begins to regrow once the immune system stops triggering its defensive response, although it's unclear what causes this cessation.
Treatment
While there's no cure for alopecia areata, medical treatments can help by encouraging new hair growth. Treatments include pills or injections containing corticosteroids or topical applications of minoxidil or anthralin. These treatments may be combined to increase effectiveness. However, the only real cure is for your body to stop its autoimmune response.
Warning
If you are experiencing symptoms of alopecia areata, contact your doctor. Unusual or rapid hair loss can be a symptom of other illnesses, so it's important to receive a proper diagnosis. Your doctor can also inform you about possible treatment options or lifestyle changes that may improve your symptoms.
