Definition

Here are some commonly asked questions about alopecia. Most answers can be found at WebMD.

What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an auto-immune disease causing hair loss when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. Experts do not know why the immune system attacks the follicles.

What happens in alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata usually begins when clumps of hair fall out, resulting in totally smooth, round hairless patches on the scalp. Hair usually grows back.

What are the different types of alopecia areata?
The 2 most common types are:
1) Alopecia areata monolocularis is baldness in only one spot. It may occur anywhere on the head.
2) Alopecia areata multilocularis is baldness in multiple areas of the head.
The 2 rare types are:
1) Alopecia areata totalis is loss of all the hair on the scalp.
2) Alopecia areata universalis is loss of all body hair.

What is the cause of alopecia areata?
No cause has been determined. Alopecia areata is not contagious. Heredity may be a factor.

How is alopecia areata diagnosed?
Alopecia areata is diagnosed through a medical history and physical examination. The doctor may tug on a few hairs. Blood tests may also be used to rule out any other conditions.

How is it treated?
Because hair usually grows back, some decide not to treat alopecia areata. The most common treatment for patchy hair loss is many injections of corticosteroids into the scalp.

How will alopecia areata affect my life?
Alopecia areata is not painful, it does not make you feel sick, and it does not result in serious health problems. Hair loss can have a psychological affect on people.