What are the Types of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. While treatments are available to help manage hair loss, there is currently no cure for alopecia areata.

What are the Types of Alopecia Areata HairMD Pune

This disorder comes in three main types: alopecia areata (affecting small patches of hair), alopecia totalis (complete loss of scalp hair), and alopecia universalis (loss of hair across the entire body). Understanding the type of alopecia is important for choosing the right treatment options and managing its effects.

Table Of Content

  • Causes of Alopecia Totalis
  • Causes of Alopecia Universalis
  • Let’s Talk About Some of the Early Signs of Alopecia

  • Conclusion

Causes of Alopecia Totalis

Alopecia totalis is an autoimmune disorder, wherein the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles in response to certain unrecognized triggering factors. In almost one-fifth of the alopecia totalis cases, genetic factors are considered responsible. Accordingly, alopecia totalis regrowth requires expert dermatologist intervention.

Causes of Alopecia Universalis

Alopecia universalis represents an advanced form of alopecia areata. The difference between alopecia totalis and universalis is that alopecia totalis is a more extensive AA subtype that features complete scalp hair loss. On the other hand, alopecia universalis features a total loss of scalp and body hair. Alopecia universalis is a rare condition. But how rare is alopecia universalis? As Per reports, only 0.02 – 0.04 percent of people suffer from alopecia universalis. Alopecia universalis can affect women and men both.

Let’s Talk About Some of the Early Signs of Alopecia

  1. Sudden thinning of hair loss from the centre part of the scalp.
  2. Small round and patchy baldness.
  3. Sudden full body hair loss.
  4. Nails become brittle.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is most common alopecia and in this condition, we can see coin size patchy hair loss one or many in the scalp. Your own immune doesn’t recognize its own hair follicles. There are no proper treatments as such to cure the problem. The medications as such minoxidil application on the affected areas, corticosteroids injections, cortisone tablets and some oral immunosuppressant etc are also used. Light therapy treatment is also used in some cases.

Alopecia Totalis

This is another autoimmune disorder, in this problem, you will experience hair loss from your eyelashes, eyebrow and even your nails will become yellow and brittle as well. This is not at all a contagious but a genetic problem. This condition is seen in a single in 1 million people, and need immunosuppressant to control the immune system to become a more severe case.

Alopecia Universalis

This case is rare most alopecia and has chromosome mutation. This problem is seen from birth and later can also develop as well. Treatment like oral immune therapy is given to see at least 40% results.

As this condition is very sensitive, so need to be taken care of the patients. Let’s talk of a few points which might be useful for alopecia patients.

  1. Emotional touch is at most important.
  2. Support and counseling.
  3. Mostly children and the teenage group face fear as if their classmate bully them, so patience is required to make them understand.
  4. Eyelash extension can be used to look odd in the crowd.
  5. Using the scarf to cover your scalp.
  6. Eyebrow tattooing on your eyebrow can be useful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that affects the hair follicles, leading to hair loss. While there is no cure for this condition, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms. It’s important to seek support, both emotional and medical, especially for those dealing with the psychological impact of hair loss. If you’re facing hair loss, don’t hesitate to consult with our hair specialists to find the best treatment options for you.

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