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Alternative names Return to top
Alopecia totalis; Alopecia universalisDefinition Return to top
Alopecia areata is hair loss of unknown cause, characterized by round patches of complete baldness.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
The specific cause of alopecia areata is unknown. A family history of alopecia is present in about a fifth of all cases. Alopecia areata is occasionally associated with autoimmune diseases.Symptoms Return to top
The primary symptom of alopecia areata is roundish patches of hair loss on the head, with smooth, hairless scalp in the affected areas. Alopecia totalis involves the complete loss of all scalp hair, and alopecia universalis is characterized by the complete loss of all body hair.
Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometime seen at the edges of a bald patch.
Signs and tests Return to top
On occasion, a scalp biopsy may be performed.Treatment Return to top
No fully effective treatments are available. Typical therapy includes:Irritating agents may be applied to hairless areas to promote regrowth
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Full recovery of hair is common. However, alopecia areata occurring at a young age, prolonged alopecia, or the presence of eczema (atopic dermatitis) often predicts a poorer outcome.Complications Return to top
Permanent hair loss is a possible complication of alopecia areata.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are concerned about hair loss. Update Date: 1/11/2003 Updated by: Glen H. Crawford, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |