Alopecia (Patchy Baldness)

Alopecia (also known as patchy baldness) causes hair loss in small, round patches. The cause of alopecia  is the immune system attacking the hair root which causes hair to fall out. About 2% of the U.S population face alopecia in their lifetime, averaging to about four million people. Some people who are diagnosed with alopecia, may at some point lose all of their hair. This form of alopecia is known as alopecia totalis. Complete hair loss from the scalp and body hair is referred to as alopecia universalis. Hair transplants are an option for people suffering from Alopecia.

Who gets alopecia?

Alopecia can be diagnosed to both genders in every ethnic group. Young adults are most commonly affected. One in five people who are facing alopecia areata has a family member who is also facing the same disease, as alopecia can be genetically linked.

What are the signs and symptoms of alopecia?

Alopecia usually starts with one or more coin sized bare patches, most commonly on the scalp. However, it can also occur with eyebrows, eyelashes and facial hair. Alopecia usually does not have any symptoms other than minor itching prior to a new patch of hair loss.

What causes alopecia?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks itself, in this case, attacking the hair follicles. The cause is not known. A person's particular genetic makeup combined with other factors triggers alopecia areata and is not contagious.

What tests are done to confirm alopecia?

Although your dermatologist may know by examining your scalp that you have alopecia, occasionally a biopsy may be taken from the scalp to get a better diagnosis. 

Is alopecia serious disease?

Alopecia is not a symptom of a serious disease and can occur with healthy individuals.

Other guides

• Overview of Hair Transplantation
• Hair Loss In Women
• Facial Hair Restoration
• Hair Transplant Cost
• Cost of Hair Transplantation Abroad
• Preventing Hair Loss
• Medical Reasons Hair Hair Loss
• Myths About Hair Loss
• Male Pattern Baldness
• Recovering from Hair Transplant Surgery
• Common Causes for Hair Loss
• Candidates for Hair Transplant
• Hair Transplant Methods
• Results After Hair Transplant
• Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Method
• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) Method
• Preparing for Hair Transplant Surgery
• The Ludwig Scale
• Hair Loss in Men
• Hair Loss in Women
• Hair Restoration Method comparison: FUT vs FUE
• Causes of Hair Loss
• Surgical Hair Restoration: Hair Transplant Surgery
• Hair Loss in Men
• Alopecia
• Cost of Hair Transplant
• Prevent Hair Loss
• Common Hair Loss Definitions
• Hair Loss Treatments

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