Alopecia Disease

Alopecia, by definition, means hair loss, and there are many different forms of alopecia. These forms of alopecia all stem from one main form of alopecia called alopecia areata. Hair re-growth is possible in most forms of alopecia, since the hair follicles are still alive, but it may take several years to see a difference. The only exception to this is when the follicles have been scarred from scalp damage (cicatricial alopecia).

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is a patchy type of hair loss on the scalp. Alopecia areata is more common in children than adults and can stem from a host of conditions, such as stress, fungal scalp infections (ringworm) and autoimmune diseases.

Alopecia Universalis

Alopecia universalis (AU) is considered to be an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss over the entire body. People with alopecia universalis are born with a gene that scientists call "the hairless gene."

Alopecia Totalis

Alopecia totalis is the complete loss of hair on the scalp. This form of alopecia either presents itself as a total loss of scalp hair all at once or as alopecia areata that progresses to alopecia totalis over time.

Androgenic Alopecia

Androgenic alopecia is known as male-pattern hair loss and is experienced by both men and women. Hairs on the head rely heavily on androgens (male hormones) for growth. For men, this type of hair loss is a natural progression due to genetics, and for women, it usually stems from an overproduction of male hormones.

Traction Alopecia

This form of alopecia is cause by the scalp hairs being pulled too tightly. This form of alopecia is mainly seen in women and men who wear tight braids and ponytails. The hair loss associated with traction alopecia generally starts as thinning hair from the hairline.

References

• Alopecia Areata
• Alopecia Universalis
• Alopecia Totalis

Resources

• American Hair Loss Association