Alopecia Areata
Alopecia refers to the absence or loss of hair from the head or body. Alopecia Areata refers to a sudden loss of hair in patches usually on the scalp or beard.
Symptoms – There is no noticeable inflammation, pain, or itch associated with the hair loss.
Cause – The actual cause of Alopecia Areata is not well understood but many factors may increase risk such as family history, anxiety or stress, serious illness, certain medications, radiation exposure, or endocrine disorders.
Diagnosis – Observation of the aforementioned symptoms will be noted and should be evaluated by a physician. The evaluation may include a physical examination and possibly blood tests.
Treatment – New hair may spontaneously regrow but may take years and a reoccurrence of the disorder is common. Your physician may prescribe a topical medication which can be applied directly to the scalp or area of hair loss to encourage new growth. Surgical transplantation of hair follicles from other areas of the body may be discussed with a physician. The sufferer may consider wearing a wig or hairpiece to cover the area of hair loss.