What is alopecia?

Overview
Alopecia areata is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss.
Symptoms
•Loss of all scalp and body hair (alopecia universalis)
•Loss of all scalp hair (alopecia totalis)
•Roundish patches of hair loss on the head
•Smooth, hairless scalp in the affected areas
Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometimes seen at the edges of a bald patch.
Treatment
No fully effective treatments are available. Typical therapy includes:

•Steroid injection under the skin surface
•Topical corticosteroids
•Ultraviolet light therapy
Irritating drugs may be applied to hairless areas to cause the hair to regrow.
Causes
The cause of alopecia areata is unknown. About a fifth of people with this condition have a family history of alopecia. Alopecia areata may sometimes occur with autoimmune diseases.

Forms of alopecia include:

•Alopecia totalis -- complete loss of scalp hair
•Alopecia universalis -- total loss of all body hair
Tests & diagnosis
On occasion, a scalp biopsy may be performed. Several blood tests may be done, because alopecia areata may occur with autoimmune conditions.
Prognosis
Full recovery of hair is common. However, some people may have a poorer outcome, including those with:

•Alopecia areata at a young age
•Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
•Long-term alopecia
Complications
Permanent hair loss is a possible complication of alopecia areata.