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Alopecia Areata
Medical Questions » Alopecia Areata
| Name: Alopecia Areata |
| Also known as: |
| Common cause of patchy hair loss. |
Causes of Alopecia Areata
Family history in about 20% of patients, fungal infections and drugs used to treat cancer may be responsible, but in most cases no specific cause can be found. Stress and anxiety are not usually a cause. Different to baldness in that it can occur at any age, in either sex, in any race, and more common under 25 years of age. |
Symptoms of Alopecia Areata
A sudden loss of hair in a well-defined patch on the scalp or other areas of body hair (eg. pubic area, beard, eyebrows). Starts suddenly, and a bare patch 2 cm or more across may be present before it is noticed. The hairless area may slowly extend for several weeks before stabilizing. Several spots may occur simultaneously, and may merge together as they enlarge. If the entire body is affected, the disease is called alopecia totalis, which is not a different disease, just a severe case of alopecia areata. |
Tests for Alopecia Areata
None usually necessary, but skin biopsy sometimes performed. |
Treatment for Alopecia Areata
Strong steroid creams, injections of steroids into the affected area, and irritant lotions.
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Complications of Alopecia Areata of its treatment
Sunburn to exposed scalp skin. |
Likely Outcome of Alopecia Areata
In 90% of patients, regrowth of hair eventually recurs, although the new hair may be totally white and it may take many months or years. The further the bare patch is from the top of the scalp, the slower and less likely the regrowth of hair. It is rare to recover from total hair loss. |
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