Alopecia Areata & Hair Loss


Alopecia areata is relatively rare condition that causes hair loss but only affects about two per cent of the population.  Unlike androgenetic alopecia, this is not a hormone-related condition, but is instead a form of autoimmune disease.  White blood cells are vital for the body’s immune system because they destroy malicious foreign bodies such as bacteria or viruses; in autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, however, the white blood cells actually begin attacking the body’s own cells. In this case, the cells under siege are hair follicles which can result in a slowing or even a complete stop of hair growth.  As the follicles die, the hair will begin to fall out in patches and over time this disease can result in total hair loss of the entire body.  Whether or not the hair will grow back over time is relative to each individual with alopecia areata. Sometimes the hair follicles were not permanently damaged and sometimes the body rights itself overtime so the hair grows back and sometimes it does not. Unfortunately, how long it will take for the hair to regrow or if it even will grow again varies greatly from person to person and baldness can last for months, years, or even indefinitely.

« Androgenetic Alopecia & Hair Loss Telogen Effluvium & Hair Loss »



Guide to the Causes of Hair Loss