The term alopecia means hair loss. In alopecia areata, one or more round bald patches appear suddenly, most often on the scalp. It is a common autoimmune disorder which causes your hair to fall out, often in clumps which are usually the size and shape of a small penny. The amount of hair loss is different in everyone. Some people lose it only in a few areas whereas for others, they can lose their hair altogether.
When alopecia areata causes widespread hair loss, complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis), or loss of all hair (alopecia universalis), few people regrow their hair without help.
What triggers alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system mistakenly attacks a part of your body. When you have alopecia areata, cells in your immune system surround and attack your hair follicles (the part of your body that makes hair).
Alopecia can happen as a result of stress, a traumatic event or even genetics. Fortunately, in many cases, alopecia can be successfully treated and here at The London Cosmetic Clinic in Harley Street, we offer clinically-proven, safe treatments which are both non-invasive and highly-effective.
What are the signs and symptoms of AA?
Alopecia areata usually begins with one or more small, round, coin-size, bare patches. It is most common on the scalp but can involve any hair-bearing site including eyebrows, eyelashes, and beards. Hair may fall out and regrow AA usually has no associated symptoms, but there may be minor discomfort or itching prior to developing a new patch. Nails may have tiny pinpoint dents and may rarely become distorted.
Is Alopecia Areata permanent?
Fortunately, the follicles retain their ability to regrow hair with the possibility of full hair regrowth always presents and the hair loss is not permanent in most cases.
Is this a symptom of a serious disease?
Alopecia areata is not a symptom of a serious disease and usually occurs in otherwise healthy individuals.
How Long does Hair Loss Last?
In half of patients with alopecia areata, individual episodes of hair loss last less than one year, and hair grows back without treatment. These patients may experience recurrent episodes of hair loss that spontaneously regrow or respond quickly to treatments.
What treatments are available?.
There is not yet reliable cure for alopecia areata and other forms of autoimmune hair loss. Spontaneous regrowth is common in alopecia areata, especially in the early stages of the disease. People with mild early alopecia areata may need no treatment, as their hair is likely to come back anyway without it. Some treatments can induce hair growth, though none is able to alter the overall course of the disease. While treatments may promote hair growth, new patches of hair loss may continue to appear.
What is the outcome for someone who has alopecia areata?
Sometimes, hair regrows on its own without treatment. This happens more often when someone has a few patches of alopecia areata, which have been there for less than 1 year.
When hair fails to grow back, treatment can help.
