Alopecia areata is a condition that causes a person’s hair to fall out. (Alopecia is the medical term for baldness; there are various types of alopecia, including alopecia areata.)
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease; that is, the person's immune system attacks their body, in this case, their hair follicles. When this happens, the person’s hair begins to fall out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The extent of the hair loss varies; in some cases, it is only in a few spots. In others, the hair loss can be greater. On rare occasions, the person loses all of the hair on his or her head (alopecia areata totalis) or entire body (alopecia areata universalis).
It is believed that the person’s genetic makeup may trigger the autoimmune reaction of alopecia, along with a virus or a substance the person comes into contact with.
Alopecia is an unpredictable disease. In some people, hair grows back but falls out again later. In others, hair grows back and remains. Each case is unique. Even if someone loses all of his or her hair, there is a chance that it will grow back.
Who gets alopecia?
Anyone can develop alopecia; however, your chances of having alopecia are slightly greater if you have a relative with the disease. In addition, alopecia occurs more often among people who have family members with autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, lupus, or thyroid disease.
Can alopecia be cured?
Alopecia cannot be cured; however, it can be treated and the hair can grow back.
In many cases, alopecia is treated with drugs that are used for other conditions. Treatment options for alopecia include:
- Corticosteroids: anti-inflammatory drugs that are prescribed for autoimmune diseases. Corticosteroids can be given as an injection into the scalp or other areas, orally (as a pill), or applied topically (rubbed into the skin) as an ointment, cream, or foam. Response to therapy may be gradual.
- Rogaine: this topical drug is already used as a treatment for pattern baldness. It usually takes about 12 weeks of treatment with Rogaine before hair begins to grow.
- Psoriatec: this treatment, commonly used for eczema, is applied to the skin for short periods. As with Rogaine, hair growth takes approximately 12 weeks.
Other drugs that are used for alopecia with varying degrees of effectiveness include medications used to treat psoriasis and topical sensitizers (drugs that are applied to the skin and cause an allergic reaction that can cause hair growth).
Other tips
Apart from drug treatments, there are various cosmetic and protective techniques that people with alopecia can try. These include:
- Using makeup to hide or minimize hair loss
- Wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun and the environment
- Wearing coverings (wigs, hats, or scarves) to protect the head from the elements
- Eating a well-balanced diet. Hair growth is a vitamin- and mineral-dependent process. People on fad diets often have problems with hair loss (although not specifically related to alopecia areata.)
- Reducing stress. Although never proven through large trials and investigations, many people with new onset alopecia areata have had recent stresses in life, such as work, family, deaths, surgeries, accidents, etc.
While the disease is not medically serious, it can impact people psychologically. Support groups are available to help people with alopecia deal with the psychological effects of the condition. Further information may be found at the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (www.naaf.org).
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 8/25/2005
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