What is Alopecia Areata?
     
 
Alopecia areata (al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-AH-tah) is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This common but very challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the population overall, including more than 4.7 million people in the United States alone. Due to the fact that much of the public is still not familiar with alopecia areata, the disease can have a profound impact on one's life and functional status, both at work and at school.

In alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis).

Alopecia areata occurs in males and females of all ages and races; however, onset most often begins in childhood and can be psychologically devastating. Although not life-threatening, alopecia areata is most certainly life-altering, and its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease.

 

Synonyms of Alopecia Areata
  • Alopecia Celsi
  • Alopecia Cicatrisata
  • Alopecia Circumscripta
  • Cazenave's Vitiligo
  • Celsus' Vitiligo
  • Jonston's Alopecia
  • Porrigo Decalvans
  • Vitiligo Capitis

Disorder Subdivisions

  • Alopecia Seminuniversalis
  • Alopecia Totalis
  • Alopecia Universalis



 

 
 

A positive attitude when dealing with hair loss….

What to do about it—

Losing your hair can be unpleasant and difficult to cope with. Your best counsel on how to deal with these side effects which are causing your hair loss is your medical health team..

 It may also be difficult to cope with your personal reaction to hair loss. After all, you’ve lived with your hair for a long time. It is a part of your personality and who you are. Now, your hair loss will be a visible sign that something is happening.

How do you explain it? Is it necessary to explain it at all? And how will you react to the change in your self -image with hair loss?

Dealing with these questions is a challenge to most people. It’s a challenge you can now face, and face confidently. For one thing, you know in advance that the hair loss is likely to happen. And you know why. You won’t have to explain your hair loss when you plan in advance to do something about it.

Take care of this as soon as possible, before the hair loss occurs. Finding a hair prostheses or wig now will allow you to “adjust” to it on your own terms, not when you do not have the choice. It will make the transition easier