Alopecia Areata (falling hair)

 

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Overview

Alopecia areata is another type of hair loss, involving patches of baldness that may come and go. It can occur at any age, but mostly affects teenagers and young adults. Six of 10 people who are affected develop their first bald patch before they are 20 years old. Alopecia areata is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and illness). There is no proven effective treatment. In most cases the hair grows back after about a year. Some people with alopecia areata go on to develop a more severe form of hair loss, such as: alopecia totalis (no scalp hair) Rebate Available alopecia universalis (no hair on the scalp and body) Rebate Available   Most people with alopecia areata can expect their hair to grow back within 12 months without any specific treatment. However, the hair loss may return sometime in the future.   Up to a quarter of people with alopecia areata will experience significant hair loss of more than half the hair on their scalp. In around 1 in 14 people, alopecia areata will progress to the more severe forms known as alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis (see below).

Alopecia Totalis

This term describes a condition when there is a total loss of scalp hair. However, mechanisms are still in place in the follicle for them to grow whenever the body decides to do so. Hair replacement in the form of a wig or hair piece is suggested until regrowth.   Keeping the scalp cleansed and free from flaking/dry skin is necessary as build up of scale must be avoided. Fresh air and sunlight, not in excess, are of prime importance due to the therapeutic nature of both.

Alopecia Universalis

A term used when the hairs across the whole body have been shed. This includes eye lashes, eye brows and fine hairs throughout.

What Causes It?

In alopecia areata, immune system cells called white blood cells attack the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles that make the hair. The affected hair follicles become small and drastically slow down hair production. Fortunately, the stem cells that continually supply the follicle with new cells do not seem to be targeted. So the follicle always has the potential to regrow hair. Scientists do not know exactly why the hair follicles undergo these changes, but they suspect that a combination of genes may predispose some people to the disease. In those who are genetically predisposed, some type of trigger--perhaps a virus or something in the person's environment – brings on the attack against the hair follicles.

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