AN OVERVIEW OF ALOPECIA AREATA

Alopecia is a word meaning hair loss and alopecia areata is a medical condition in which hair is lost in round patches. The hair loss can be on the scalp or any other body part.

This condition can cause other types of hair loss. They are:

• Alopecia areata (loss of hair in patches)
• Alopecia totalis (total scalp hair loss)
• Alopecia Universalis (total hair loss on the body)

Hair loss is not a common condition as it occurs in about 5% of people.

Some people may grow hairs again on the parts which the hairs were first lost, but these hairs tend to fall out again. In some cases, hair loss may last for years.

This condition is not contagious, and it is not a nerve-related issue. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, thereby causing the hairs to fall off.