BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAlopecia areataAlopecia totalis; Alopecia universalis; Ophiasis; Hair loss - patchyAlopecia areata is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss. It can lead to total hair loss. Causes Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune condition. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy hair follicles.Autoimmune conditionAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some people with this condition have a family history of alopecia. Alopecia areata is seen in men, women, and children. In a few people, hair loss may occur after a major life event such as an illness, pregnancy, or trauma.AlopeciaPartial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Hair loss is usually the only symptom. A few people may also feel a burning sensation or itching.Alopecia areata usually begins as one to several (1 cm to 4 cm) patches of hair loss. Hair loss is most often seen on the scalp. It may also occur in the beard, eyebrows, pubic hair, and arms or legs in some people. Nail pitting may also occur.Patches where hair has fallen out are smooth and round in shape. They may be peach-colored. Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometimes seen at the edges of a bald patch with a magnifying tool.If alopecia areata leads to total hair loss, it often occurs within 6 months after symptoms first start. This is called alopecia totalis when the entire scalp is involved, and alopecia universalis when the entire body is affected. Exams and Tests The health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms, focusing on areas where you have hair loss.A scalp biopsy may be done. Blood tests may also be done to check for autoimmune conditions and thyroid problems.BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment If hair loss is not widespread, the hair will often regrow in a few months without treatment.For more severe hair loss, it is not clear how much treatment can help change the course of the condition.Common treatments may include:Steroid injection under the skin surface Medicines applied to the skin Ultraviolet light therapy A wig may be used to hide areas of hair loss. Support Groups More information and support for people with alopecia areata and their families can be found at:National Alopecia Areata Foundation -- www.naaf.org Outlook (Prognosis) Full recovery of hair is common.However, some people may have a poorer outcome, including those with:Alopecia areata that starts at a young age Eczema EczemaAtopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is a type of eczema. Other forms of eczema include...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term alopecia Widespread or complete loss of scalp or body hair When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you are concerned about hair loss.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Hair diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.Gawkrodger DJ, Ardern-Jones MR. Disorders of hair. In: Gawkrodger DJ, Ardern-Jones MR, eds. Dermatology: An Illustrated Colour Text. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 38.AllVideoImagesTogAlopecia areata with pustules - illustration Pus-filled lesions (pustules) are unusual in alopecia areata, but can occur, as in this picture. The pustules are infected where medication was injected into the area.Alopecia areata with pustulesillustrationAlopecia totalis - back view of the head - illustration Hair loss is referred to as alopecia. Patchy hair loss on the scalp is called alopecia areata. Complete scalp hair loss is alopecia totalis. Loss of all body hair is called alopecia universalis.Alopecia totalis - back view of the headillustrationAlopecia totalis - front view of the head - illustration Hair loss is referred to as alopecia. Patchy hair loss on the scalp is called alopecia areata. Complete scalp hair loss is alopecia totalis. Hair loss from the entire body, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair, is alopecia universalis.Alopecia totalis - front view of the headillustrationAlopecia, under treatment - illustration This picture shows alopecia areata, under treatment. The hair loss is being treated with anthralin, which causes the brownish hyperpigmentation and can induce hair regrowth. It is very unlikely regrowth will occur when hair is lost along the scalp margin (ophiasis).Alopecia, under treatmentillustrationAlopecia areata with pustules - illustration Pus-filled lesions (pustules) are unusual in alopecia areata, but can occur, as in this picture. The pustules are infected where medication was injected into the area.Alopecia areata with pustulesillustrationAlopecia totalis - back view of the head - illustration Hair loss is referred to as alopecia. Patchy hair loss on the scalp is called alopecia areata. Complete scalp hair loss is alopecia totalis. Loss of all body hair is called alopecia universalis.Alopecia totalis - back view of the headillustrationAlopecia totalis - front view of the head - illustration Hair loss is referred to as alopecia. Patchy hair loss on the scalp is called alopecia areata. Complete scalp hair loss is alopecia totalis. Hair loss from the entire body, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair, is alopecia universalis.Alopecia totalis - front view of the headillustrationAlopecia, under treatment - illustration This picture shows alopecia areata, under treatment. The hair loss is being treated with anthralin, which causes the brownish hyperpigmentation and can induce hair regrowth. It is very unlikely regrowth will occur when hair is lost along the scalp margin (ophiasis).Alopecia, under treatmentillustrationRelated Information Hair loss(Symptoms)Autoimmune disorders(Condition) Review Date: 11/30/2022 Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Senior Associate Consultant, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. 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Alopecia areataAlopecia totalis; Alopecia universalis; Ophiasis; Hair loss - patchyAlopecia areata is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss. It can lead to total hair loss. Causes Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune condition. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy hair follicles.Autoimmune conditionAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some people with this condition have a family history of alopecia. Alopecia areata is seen in men, women, and children. In a few people, hair loss may occur after a major life event such as an illness, pregnancy, or trauma.AlopeciaPartial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Hair loss is usually the only symptom. A few people may also feel a burning sensation or itching.Alopecia areata usually begins as one to several (1 cm to 4 cm) patches of hair loss. Hair loss is most often seen on the scalp. It may also occur in the beard, eyebrows, pubic hair, and arms or legs in some people. Nail pitting may also occur.Patches where hair has fallen out are smooth and round in shape. They may be peach-colored. Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometimes seen at the edges of a bald patch with a magnifying tool.If alopecia areata leads to total hair loss, it often occurs within 6 months after symptoms first start. This is called alopecia totalis when the entire scalp is involved, and alopecia universalis when the entire body is affected. Exams and Tests The health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms, focusing on areas where you have hair loss.A scalp biopsy may be done. Blood tests may also be done to check for autoimmune conditions and thyroid problems.BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment If hair loss is not widespread, the hair will often regrow in a few months without treatment.For more severe hair loss, it is not clear how much treatment can help change the course of the condition.Common treatments may include:Steroid injection under the skin surface Medicines applied to the skin Ultraviolet light therapy A wig may be used to hide areas of hair loss. Support Groups More information and support for people with alopecia areata and their families can be found at:National Alopecia Areata Foundation -- www.naaf.org Outlook (Prognosis) Full recovery of hair is common.However, some people may have a poorer outcome, including those with:Alopecia areata that starts at a young age Eczema EczemaAtopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is a type of eczema. Other forms of eczema include...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term alopecia Widespread or complete loss of scalp or body hair When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you are concerned about hair loss.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Hair diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.Gawkrodger DJ, Ardern-Jones MR. Disorders of hair. In: Gawkrodger DJ, Ardern-Jones MR, eds. Dermatology: An Illustrated Colour Text. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 38.