Alopecia areata characteristically causes hair loss in circular shapes. In 48% of patients diagnosed with alopecia areata, people start losing hair during their adolescent years, making this condition common among adolescents. Hair regrowth can occur in up to 50% to 80% of patients diagnosed, but it is possible for additional hair loss to occur, which may lead to total scalp hair loss known as alopecia totalis. In rare cases, all of the body’s hair may be lost and this is known as alopecia universalis. The cause of alopecia areata is unknown, and the resolution of the disorder is unpredictable.
WHAT CAUSES ALOPECIA AREATA?
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss caused when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. This disorder causes inflammation that affects normal hair growth cycling by shifting the follicles from a hair growth phase (anagen phase) to a resting phase (telogen phase).
TREATING ALOPECIA AREATA
Although there is no cure for alopecia areata, there are various treatments that can improve alopecia areata in patients.
There are two overall goals for treatment:
Reduce the inflammation around the hair follicle
Promote the hair to go back into a growth phase
If the alopecia areata is only affecting a few areas, the treatments may include topical or locally injected steroids. In more severe cases of alopecia areata, oral or other systemic medications may be used.
