Alopecia areata is a disease that affects the hair follicles and usually causes hair to fall out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. In the United States, it is estimated that alopecia areata has affected four million people. Alopecia areata affects both men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, and it usually begins in childhood.

 

(If you were looking for alopecia areata instead of alopecia areta, please click Alopecia Areata. This link will take you to the full eMedTV article on this condition. Topics discussed in this article include the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of alopecia areata.)