Alopecia areata: an introduction
Definition
Alopecia areata is hair loss of unknown cause, characterized by round patches of complete baldness.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The specific cause of alopecia areata is unknown. A family history of alopecia is present in about a fifth of all cases. Alopecia areata is occasionally associated with autoimmune diseases.Alopecia may also occur as alopecia totalis with complete loss of scalp hair or as alopecia universalis with total loss of all body hair.
Alopecia may also occur as alopecia totalis with complete loss of scalp hair or as alopecia universalis with total loss of all body hair.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of alopecia areata is roundish patches of hair loss on the head, with smooth, hairless scalp in the affected areas. Alopecia totalis involves the complete loss of all scalp hair, and alopecia universalis is characterized by the complete loss of all scalp and body hair.Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometime seen at the edges of a bald patch.
Signs and tests
On occasion, a scalp biopsy may be performed.Treatment
No fully effective treatments are available. Typical therapy includes:- Topical corticosteroids (medium to very high potency)
- Subcutaneous (under the skin surface) steroid injection
- Ultraviolet light therapy
