Often resulting in sporadic hair loss, alopecia areata is a disease that affects a person's hair follicles. This eMedTV resource offers an in-depth look at alopecia areata and its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
There are three layers of skin that work together to protect you and keep you healthy. This eMedTV article takes a closer look at skin, including information on what it is made of, as well as a description of what each layer does.
As this eMedTV article explains, the cause of alopecia areata is related to an autoimmune disease, in which your white blood cells attack the hair follicles. It is unknown, however, how alopecia areata causes hair follicles to slow hair production.
The most common alopecia areata symptoms are a few bare patches of hair loss. This eMedTV article also discusses more rare signs and symptoms, such as complete loss of hair on the head, face, or body, including eyelashes and eyebrows.
Alopecia areata treatments may include photochemotherapy, oral medications, and topical ointments. This eMedTV article discusses various alopecia areata treatments and explains how they can help promote hair growth.
Alternative treatment for alopecia areata comes in many forms, such as: acupuncture, zinc, and herbal supplements. This eMedTV page describes these forms of alternative treatment for alopecia areata and the importance of talking to a doctor first.
An alopecia areata prognosis is different for each person. As this eMedTV article explains, the hair that was lost may or may not grow back and you may or may not continue to develop new patches of hair loss.
Over 4 million Americans are living with alopecia areata at some point during their life. This eMedTV article explains ways to minimize the appearance of hair loss, the importance of skin protection, and other tips for living with alopecia areata.
As explained in this eMedTV article, alopecia areata usually begins in childhood, and the first sign of alopecia areata in a child is hair loss that occurs in small, round patches. This page offers an in-depth look at alopecia areata in children.
At this time, there is no cure for alopecia areata. As this eMedTV Web page explains, although no true cure exists, some treatments may help hair re-grow. There are also ways to make the hair loss less prominent.
As this eMedTV page explains, clinical trials on alopecia areata focus on finding new treatments and methods of prevention. This page explains the areas of focus in alopecia areata research, such as understanding cytokines, genes, and the immune system.
If you have noticed small patches of hair loss, you may wonder about alopecia areata and who gets it. As this eMedTV article explains, alopecia areata is a disease that affects the hair follicles and causes the hair to fall out.
