Alopecia Areata Causes

Alopecia areata causes rapid hair loss. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the hair follicles and prevents hair from growing normally.

Alopecia areata takes many forms. Most common is one or more bald spots on the head. Sometimes, however, there is a more generalized thinning of hair all over the head, and this is known as diffuse alopecia areata. Occasionally all of the hair on the head is lost, a condition called alopecia areata totalis. The hair loss can also include the male beard, and this is known as alopecia areata barbe. Rarely, all of the hair on the entire body is lost, a condition referred to as alopecia universalis.

Alopcia areata affects both men and women, and can affect people of all ages. It is most common in children, teens, and young adults. Infants may be born with alopecia universalis, but usually one is older than that when rapid hair loss begins to occur.

Alopecia Areata Causes

As mentioned earlier, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system does not function properly. For some reason it views the hairs as something foreign and attacks them. Lymphocytes around the hair follicles release chemical messengers called cytokines, causing the follicles to reject the hairs so that they fall out. Rapid hair loss occurs.

Alopecia areata has a genetic component and often runs in families. It is not contagious, however.

People with alopecia areata often have other autoimmune disorders, such as allergic disorders, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vitiligo (a condition in which irregular white patches appear on the skin). These conditions are not alopecia areata causes, however.

Diagnosing Alopecia Areata

If you experience rapid hair loss, you should see a doctor or dermatologist to find out the cause. The characteristic finding is the “exclamation point” hair. These are short broken hairs found in the area of hair loss. They are narrower closer to the scalp, thereby looking like an exclamation point. They are visible with a magnifying lens.

In some cases, a scalp biopsy will be necessary to make a diagnosis.

Alopecia Areata Treatment

There are a number of possible treatments for the hair loss that alopecia areata causes. Unfortunately, none are guaranteed to be reliable. You may have to try a few different treatments to see what works for you. The good news is that hair will usually grow back on its own even without treatment; the bad news is that this can take quite a while.

Topical medications such as minoxidil (found in topical solutions such as Rogaine) are sometimes effective. Topical steroids are sometimes used. Other topical hair loss treatments may also work. These will need to be continued until the disease has run its course; otherwise once they are stopped, rapid hair loss will begin again.

Topical immunotherapy is a common treatment. This involves the use of an irritant on the skin, which invokes an allergic reaction. The allergic reaction stimulates the hair follicles, which in turn stimulates new hair growth.

Steroid injections in the area of hair loss have been proven effective in many cases. For extensive hair loss, oral steroids may be prescribed.

Because often alopecia areata causes emotional distress and self-consciousness, many people with the condition choose to wear a wig or other head covering until their hair grows back.

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