Alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disorder that often results in unpredictable hair loss. In the majority of cases, hair falls out in small patches around the size of a quarter. For most people, the hair loss is nothing more than a few patches, though in some cases it can be more extreme.
Sometimes, it can lead to the complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis) or, in extreme cases, the entire body (alopecia universalis).
It often occurs in people who have a family history of other autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Types:
- I. Alopecia areata (patchy)
The main characteristic of this type of alopecia areata is one or more coin-sized patches of hair loss on the skin or body. If this condition expands, it may become alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.
- II. Alopecia totalis - when you have hair loss across the entire scalp.
- III. Alopecia universalis
In addition to losing hair on the scalp, people with this type of alopecia areata also lose all hair on the face — eyebrows and eyelashes. It’s also possible to lose other body hair, including chest, back, and pubic hair.
- IV. Diffuse alopecia areata
Diffuse alopecia areata may look a lot like female- or male-pattern hair loss. It results in sudden and unexpected thinning of hair all over the scalp, not in just one area or patch.
- V. Ophiasis alopecia
Hair loss that follows a band along the sides and lower back of the scalp is called ophiasis alopecia.
- Symptoms:
- Small, round (or oval) patches of hair loss on the scalp, beard area of the face or other areas of the body with hair
- Hair loss and regrowth at the same time in different areas of the body
- Significant hair loss in a very short period of time
- Hair loss that’s mostly on one side of the scalp, instead of both sides
- “Exclamation point” hairs that are narrow at the base/next to the scalp
- “Stippling” or “Pitting” (rows of tiny dents) on the fingernails
- Diagnosis: to rule out other conditions
- Scalp biopsy
- Blood tests
- C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- iron levels and antinuclear antibody test
- thyroid hormones
- free and total testosterone
- follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone
- Treatment:
- Topical agents - to help stimulate hair growth
- Minoxidil (Rogaine)
- Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp) is a drug that irritates the skin in order to spur hair regrowth