Alopecia areata (AA) is a recurrent nonscarring type of hair loss that can affect any hair-bearing area. Because it causes bald spots on the head especially in the first stages, it is sometimes called spot baldness. This common but very challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the population overall, including more than 5 million people in the United States alone. In alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. In some people, hair loss is more extensive. Although uncommon, the disease can progress to cause total loss of hair on the head (referred to as alopecia areata totalis) or complete loss of hair on the head, face, and body.

Alopecia areata is a disease in which hair is lost suddenly, creating distinct bald patches, usually on the head or other parts of the body commonly covered with hair. In 1–2% of cases, the condition can spread to the entire scalp ( Alopecia totalis ) or to the entire epidermis ( Alopecia universalis ). Scientists think AA is an autoimmune disease where white blood cells from the immune system attack hair follicles and keep them from producing hairs. The tissue is then attacked. Usually, dermatologists diagnose AA by close examination of the scalp, and considering, then eliminating other hair loss causes. The scalp is the most commonly noticed area, but AA can form anywhere on the body: eyelashes, armpits, leg hairs, etc. Habitual hair pulling (trichotillomania), scalp fungus (black-dot ringworm) and other skin diseases ( lichen planopilaris , cutaneous lupus and telogen effluvium ) cause the most confusion. there are more than a few small patches of hair loss, it may also grow back or develop into total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or even complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis), although this is rare. When hair does start to regrow, it tends to be of very fine "peach fuzz" hair, eventually regaining most or all of its normal color and texture. For more severe widespread disease, options include short contact anthralin treatment (Micanol) and contact hypersensitization.

Causes of Alopecia Areata

The common Causes of Alopecia Areata :

Exact cause of why the hair follicles undergo these changes is not known, but it is considered to be genetically passed or triggered.
The disease is not contagious but may be hereditary.
Stress may be the cause of Alopecia Areata but it is rarely observed.
Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly treats its hair follicles as foreign tissue and suppresses or stops hair growth.
Immune system cells called white blood cells attack the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles, resulting in smaller follicles and immense reduction in hair production. Fortunately, the stem cells that continually supply the follicle with new cells do not seem to be targeted. So the follicle always has the potential to regrow hair.

Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

Some Symptoms of Alopecia Areata :

Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometime seen at the edges of a bald patch.
The hair stops growing and then falls out from the roots.
Some people become self-conscious , anxious or distressed by the appearance of the hair loss.
Sometimes several small bald patches develop and merge into a larger bald area.
The nails are affected in about 1 in 5 cases and become pitted or ridged.

Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Patchy alopecia areata generally clears up on its own within several months to several years.
Cortisone pills may be prescribed in cases of substantial hair loss.
A sulfa drug, is used as a treatment for different autoimmune disorders.
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs has similarity to a hormone called cortisol produced in the body.
A cream or ointment containing anthralin has also been found to stimulate new hair growth in those with mild cases of alopecia areata. Anthralin which is a synthetic tar-like substance altering immune function in the affected skin makes the condition better.
Some patients of alopecia areata respond well to drugs that promote hair regrowth, containing minoxidil and finasteride.

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