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Alopecia Areata
From National Alopeica Areata Foundation
Alopecia areata (al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-AH-tah) is a highly
unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This common but
very challenging and capricious disease affects approximately 1.7 percent of the population overall, including more than 5
million people in the United States alone.
In alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked
by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. Alopecia areata usually
starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia
totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis).
Alopecia areata occurs in males and females of all ages and races;
however, onset most often begins in childhood and can be psychologically devastating. Although not life-threatening, alopecia
areata is most certainly life-altering, and its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound
psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease.
Symptoms and Signs
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