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Types of Alopecia Areata

There are three types of alopecia areata--alopecia areata, alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis. In all forms of alopecia areata, it is possible for hair regrowth to occur naturally on its own.

  1. Alopecia Areata

    • Alopecia areata is the most common form of the alopecia areata disease and is recognized by patchy hair loss on the scalp. More than 90 percent of alopecia areata cases are of this variety.

    Alopecia Areata Totalis

    • Alopecia areata totalis is the second-most common form of alopecia areata. It involves the total loss of hair on the scalp. This form of the disease affects roughly 5 percent of those suffering from alopecia areata.

    Alopecia Areata Universalis

    • Alopecia areata universalis, the loss of hair from the entire body, is the rarest form of alopecia areata. It is estimated that fewer than 1 percent of alopecia areata have this type.

    Treatments

    • Alopecia areata may be treated with cortisone shots, anthralin cream or topical minoxidil, while alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis are treated with cortisone pills and topical immunotherapy.

    Warning

    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have approved no treatments for any form of alopecia areata.

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