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Facts About Alopecia

Alopecia is usually associated with total hair loss; however, alopecia is actually a term that describes hair loss in general. As is the case with most broad medical terms, there are subcategories or types of alopecia. The symptoms, causes and treatments vary depending upon the type of alopecia a patient has.

  1. Androgenetic Alopecia

    • Androgenetic alopecia is commonly called pattern baldness. This type of alopecia generally affects the crown of the head or the frontal hair line. It is usually first noticed as a marked thinning of the hair that progresses to complete baldness in that area. This condition affects men more than women. It is considered a hereditary condition that occurs with aging. Treatment for this type of alopecia include topical treatments such as Minoxidil or anthralin creams.

    Alopecia Areata

    • Alopecia areata is the form of alopecia most commonly associated with the broad term "alopecia." This form of the condition is actually an autoimmune disease that is considered hereditary. In most cases, a patient will lose and regrow several times all the hair on the body, including the head, eyebrows, eyelashes, underarms, arms and lower body. However, in some cases, the initial bout of hair loss is permanent. Treatment with steroids is sometimes used to treat this form of alopecia.

    Traction Alopecia

    • Traction alopecia is hair loss that is caused by harsh hair care or styling practices. This type of hair loss often is first noticed as sudden bald patches on the back or sides of the head. While this condition is usually treated by stopping the damaging practices, the damage can become so severe that the hair loss is permanent if the styling and hair care routine aren't changed soon enough.

    Telogen Effluvium

    • Telogen effluvium is hair loss that is caused by a change in the hair growth cycle caused by emotional and lifestyle changes. Most of the time, this type of alopecia is noticed because of clumps of hair in the drain after hair washing. Most of the time, this form affects the hair near the nape of the neck first. Extreme stress or a severe reduction in dietary values can cause this condition. People with eating disorders and substance abusers are usually affected by this condition; however, life changes such as the death of a loved one can also trigger this condition.

    Cicatricial Alopecia

    • Cicatricial alopecia, sometimes called scarring alopecia, is hair loss caused by scarring of the hair follicle. Most people with this condition will notice hair loss in areas that are red and inflamed. This may look like a diaper rash or heat rash. This is sometimes the result of inflammation caused by skin conditions. It is most often associated with lichen planus or lupus erythematosus. In most cases, this type of alopecia is permanent unless the inflammation is noticed before the follicles are irreversibly scarred.

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