Info on Alopecia Areata

• Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition that affects a person's hair follicles and causes sporadic hair loss. This eMedTV resource offers an in-depth look at alopecia areata and its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

• Skin

This eMedTV article explains how the three layers of skin -- the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis -- work together to protect you and keep you healthy.

• Cause of Alopecia Areata

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.

• Alopecia Areata Symptoms

The most common alopecia areata symptoms are a few bare patches of hair loss. This eMedTV article also discusses more rare alopecia areata symptoms, such as complete loss of hair on the head, face, or body.

• Alopecia Areata Treatments

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

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.

• Alopecia Areata Prognosis

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.

• Living With Alopecia Areata

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.

• Alopecia Areata in Child

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.

• Alopecia Areata Cure

Scientists are actively searching for an alopecia areata cure. As this eMedTV Web page explains, though no alopecia areata cure currently exists, some treatments may help hair re-grow. There are also ways to make alopecia areata appear less prominent.

• Alopecia Areata Clinical Trials

Alopecia areata clinical trials are focused on developing new treatments and methods of prevention. This eMedTV resource explains the areas of focus in alopecia areata research, such as understanding cytokines, genes, and the immune system.

• Alopecia Areata and Who Gets It

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.