Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks

hair follicles

 and causes hair loss. While hair can be lost from any part of the body, alopecia areata usually affects the head and face. Hair typically falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter, but in some cases, hair loss is more extensive. Most people with the disease are healthy and have no other symptoms. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
Hair loss tends to be unpredictable. Hair may regrow without treatment.
Symptoms

Thinning or loss of hair anywhere

  • At scalp

  • At beard

  • Bald spots

common

Small depressions on the nails

common

Itchy skin

  • At scalp

Painless detachment of the nail from the nail bed

Risk factors

Hashimoto thyroiditis

or Graves disease

Long-term difficulty breathing due to the narrowing of bronchi

or Inflammation of the nose caused by allergy

or Eczema

Anxiety

or Stress

or Depression

High levels of fats in blood

or Diabetes mellitus

or High blood pressure disease

Family history of alopecia areata

Falling sick easily

Treatment
There is currently no cure for alopecia areata, although there are some forms of treatment that can be suggested by doctors to help the hair re-grow more quickly. The most common form of alopecia areata treatment is the use of corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system.
Recommended specialist

If you have Alopecia Areata, then a visit to a dermatologist is recommended.

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Dermatologist

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