ALOPECIA AREATA

TYPES

Alopecia areata comes in a variety of types, including the following:

• Alopecia Totalis
• Alopecia Universalis
• Diffuse Alopecia Areata
• Ophiasis Alopecia

SYMPTOMS

While Alopecia areata is most commonly associated with hair loss on the skull, it may affect any region of your body. Hair loss may affect the brows, eyelashes, or mustache in men. Nevertheless, there are no indications of irritation, scarring, or redness wherever the hair loss occurs.

Alopecia areata may also manifest itself in the following ways:

• White and gray hairs typically persist when hair loss has occurred.
• When hair has fallen out, it begins to regenerate on its own.
• Hair starts to develop in a bald area and falls out another.
• Hair loss is more common in the winter months.

If you notice symptoms of Alopecia areata, consult your doctor.

DIAGNOSIS

Alopecia areata may be diagnosed merely by checking the amount of hair loss and analyzing a few hair samples behind a microscope. Other tests include:

• Biopsy. This is performed to rule out the disease that causes hair loss.
• Blood tests. This is done to see if there are autoimmune disorders presented.

If your doctor notices anything strange in your blood, he or she may order the tests below:

• Iron levels
• Follicle-stimulating 
• Thyroid hormones
• Luteinizing hormone
• C-reactive protein
• Antinuclear antibody test

TREATMENT

Although there is no treatment available, there are therapies that you may take to help prevent future hair loss or ramp up hair growth.

 The condition is unpredictable, you may have to try many treatments before finding one that works for you. Even with therapy, hair loss may worsen for some individuals.

Some of the most common treatment alternatives are:

• Medical treatments, such as injections, topical, and oral medications
• Light therapy

Talk to your doctor about the possible treatments for your disease.