Alopecia Areata

Overview

Alopecia areata is the unexplained loss of hair on the head. It is characterized by round bald patches and is often referred to as male pattern baldness. Alopecia may also occur as alopecia totalis with complete loss of scalp hair or as alopecia universalis with total loss of all body hair. The recurrence rate is approximately 30% and recurrence usually affects the initial area of involvement.

Causes

Nobody knows what causes alopecia although there is a family link in about 20 per cent of cases.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of alopecia areata is round bald patches on the head. It is often referred to as male pattern baldness. Alopecia totalis involves the complete loss of all scalp hair and alopecia universalis is characterized by the complete loss of all scalp and body hair.

Treatment

There are no fully effective treatments although any of the following may be recommended:

  • Topical corticosteroids (medium to very high potency)
  • Subcutaneous (under the skin surface) steroid injection
  • Ultraviolet light therapy
  • 5% topical minoxidil (Rogaine)