Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing sudden hair loss in round patches. It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or any hair-bearing area. The severity varies widely — from a single small patch to complete loss of all body hair.
Unlike androgenetic alopecia, the hair follicles are not destroyed — they are suppressed by the immune response. This means regrowth is possible if the immune attack subsides, either spontaneously or with treatment.
One or more round, smooth bald patches on the scalp. Most common form. May resolve spontaneously.
Complete loss of all hair on the scalp. More challenging to treat, but new JAK inhibitors show promise.
Complete loss of all body hair, including scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. Rarest and most extensive form.
Hair loss in a band shape around the sides and back of the head. Named after the Greek word for snake. More resistant to treatment.
Sudden overall thinning across the scalp rather than distinct patches. Can be confused with telogen effluvium.
Injected directly into bald patches every 4-6 weeks. Most effective for a few small patches. Response rates of 60-70%.
FDA-approved oral medications that block the immune signaling attacking follicles. ~35-40% achieve 80%+ scalp coverage. Breakthrough treatment.
Intentionally causes an allergic reaction to distract the immune system. Applied weekly. Can be effective for extensive cases.
Creams or ointments applied to patches. Less effective than injections but useful for children or those who prefer non-injection treatment.
May speed up regrowth when used alongside other treatments. Not effective on its own for alopecia areata but can complement other therapies.
In many cases, yes. About 50% of people with mild alopecia areata (a few small patches) see spontaneous regrowth within a year without treatment. However, alopecia areata is unpredictable — hair may regrow and then fall out again. More extensive forms (totalis/universalis) have lower spontaneous regrowth rates.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. The exact trigger is unknown but involves a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors (stress, infections, etc.). Having one autoimmune condition increases the risk of developing others.
There is a genetic component — about 10-20% of people with alopecia areata have a family member with the condition. However, having the genes doesn't guarantee you'll develop it. Identical twin studies show only ~55% concordance, meaning environmental triggers also play a significant role.
JAK inhibitors (Janus kinase inhibitors) represent a breakthrough for alopecia areata. Baricitinib (Olumiant) was FDA-approved in 2022 and ritlecitinib (Litfulo) in 2023 for severe alopecia areata. These oral medications can produce significant regrowth in many patients. Clinical trials show ~35-40% of patients achieve 80%+ scalp coverage.
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