Contagious: No
Pronounce: alopecia (al-low-pee-she-ah) areata (air-ē-ah-ta)
What is alopecia areata?
This is a disease that develops when the body attacks its own hair follicles (where hair grows from), which can cause hair loss anywhere on the body.
Types of alopecia areata
When talking about treatment, your dermatologist may mention the type of alopecia areata that you have.
The main types are:
Alopecia areata: Alopecia is the medical term for bald. Areata means patchy. This patchy baldness can develop anywhere on the body, including the scalp, beard area, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, inside your nose, or ears.
Alopecia totalis: The person loses all hair on the scalp, so the scalp is completely bald.
Alopecia universalis: The person loses all hair, leaving the entire body hairless. This is rare.
Dermatologist examining a patient with hair loss
To find out what’s causing your hair loss, a dermatologist may use a tool called a dermascope to get a closer look.
How do dermatologists treat alopecia areata?
If you just received your diagnosis and have had alopecia areata for less than a year, your dermatologist may recommend a wait-and-see approach. Your hair may regrow on its own, making treatment unnecessary.
When treatment becomes necessary, your dermatologist will consider many factors, including:
Your age , The amount of hair loss you have ,Where you have hair loss
