What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata; It is an oval-shaped hair loss disease that can be seen in one or more areas of the body with hair follicles such as scalp, beard, mustache, eyebrows, eyelashes, arms and legs.
Why Does Alopecia Areata Occur?
Alopecia areata is an immune system disease. The person’s own immune system cells perceive their own hair follicles as foreign substances for various reasons, produce antibodies and hairs fall out. Although the exact cause of the disease is not known, it has been found to be associated with genetic predisposition, stress and hormonal irregularities.
What are the Findings of Alopecia areata?
It is most commonly seen on the scalp. It is in the form of one or more rounded areas of shedding that develops in a short period of time in areas with hair previously. Skin examination in the area of hair loss is normal. Disease severity is variable. It is usually seen as a small number of shedding areas. However, it can rarely be seen in the form of total hair loss or even total loss of body hair.
Is Alopecia areata Contagious?
The disease is not contagious.
How Is Alopecia Areata Treated?
There is no definitive treatment for alopecia areata. Hairs usually come back on their own within 1 year. The aim of the treatment is to make the hairs grow back faster. Treatment is determined by the severity of the disease. Steroid creams and lotions, steroid injection to the affected area, mesotherapy, and oral medications in advanced cases are the treatment options.
