With
alopecia areata, causes of the condition are linked to an
autoimmune disease, in which a person's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. This attack on the hair follicles can lead to hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body.
When this condition occurs, white blood cells attack the cells in the hair follicles that make hair. The affected hair follicles become small as a result of the attack, which, in turn, slows down the production of hair.
Although alopecia areata is believed to be an
autoimmune disease, it is unknown how the condition causes hair follicles to slow down hair production and growth. Research scientists currently suspect that certain genes are associated with alopecia areata.
(Click Alopecia Areata Causes for more information about the causes of alopecia areata, including a detailed explanation of how the immune system functions and how genetics may play a role in this autoimmune disease.)
