Signs of Alopecia Universalis

Alopecia universalis is a condition in which a person either rapidly loses all body hair or is born without any body hair. The underlying cause of alopecia universalis is not yet known, but doctors are beginning to consider whether or not it is a genetic disorder. Alopecia universalis has also been diagnosed in individuals with autoimmune disorder issues.

Primary Symptoms

• Alopeica universalis is characterized by a complete loss of body hair. Not only will the patient become completely bald, but he will also lose eyebrows, eyelashes, and all body hair, including pubic hair. Persons who are born with alopecia universalis never grow any body hair at all.

Secondary Symptoms

• Secondary symptoms of alopecia universalis include bone abnormalities such as kyphosis or scoliosis, and skin lesions such as mottling, depigmentization, axillary freckling and cafe au lait spots--skin spots that are darker than the surrounding dermis.

Contagion

• Alopecia universalis is not caused by infection but by a person's hair follicles not producing hair. It is not considered contagious because it is most likely a genetic or immunodeficiency condition .

Treatment

• There is no 100 percent effective treatment for alopecia universalis, although topical immunotherapy works in about 40 percent of patients. The treatment works by placing a mild chemical irritant on the skin, which agitates the hair follicles and promotes hair growth. The treatment is ongoing and may take six months or more to show any improvement.