Alopecia areata (al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-AH-tah) is a common, non-contagious disease that results in the loss of hair from the scalp and elsewhere. It usually begins with one or more small, round, smooth patches. It occurs in males and females of all ages, but onset most often occurs in childhood. Over four million people in the United States are affected by Alopecia areata.
In Alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles become very small and grow no hair visible above the surface for months or even years. The scalp is the most commonly affected area, but the beard or any hair-bearing site can be affected either alone or together with the scalp.
Some people develop only a few bare patches that regrow hair within a year. In others, extensive patchy loss occurs, all scalp hair is lost (Alopecia totalis), or hair is lost from the entire scalp and body (Alopecia universalis). No matter how widespread the hair loss, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal. In all cases, hair regrowth may occur without treatment and even after many years.
Alopecia areata is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This common but challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the world population. Due to the fact that much of the public is still unfamiliar with Alopecia areata, the disease can have a profound impact on one's life and functional status, both at work and at school.
Although not life-threatening, Alopecia areata is certainly life-altering; its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those affected.
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