Alopecia Areata Symptoms: An Overview
It is important to note that
alopecia areata is not a life-threatening disease. Alopecia areata does not cause any physical pain, and people with alopecia areata symptoms are generally in good health.
Alopecia Areata Symptoms: Hair Loss
The most common symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss, in which the hair usually falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. Although many people with alopecia areata get only a few bare patches, some people may lose more hair. In rare cases, alopecia areata can progress to complete loss of hair on the head (alopecia areata totalis) or complete loss of hair on the head, face, and body (alopecia areata universalis).
Other Effects of Alopecia Areata Symptoms
In cases of alopecia universalis, loss of eyelashes and eyebrows and hair in the nose and ears can make the person more vulnerable to dust, germs, and foreign particles entering the eyes, nose, and ears.
Alopecia Areata Symptoms and Other Medical Conditions
Alopecia areata often occurs in people whose family members have other
autoimmune diseases, such as:
People who have alopecia areata symptoms do not usually have other autoimmune diseases. However, they may have: