Alopecia Areata

🧑‍🦲 Alopecia Areata –

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sudden, patchy hair loss on the scalp or other parts of the body. The immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair falling out.

🔍 Causes

• Autoimmune response targeting hair follicles
• Genetic predisposition
• Possible triggers: stress, infections, environmental factors

⚠️ Symptoms

• Round or oval patches of smooth, hairless skin
• Sudden hair loss, often painless and without scarring
• Possible nail changes (pitting or ridging)
• In some cases, total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis)

🧪 Diagnosis

• Clinical examination of hair loss pattern
• Dermoscopy to view hair follicles
• Sometimes scalp biopsy

🛠️ Treatment

• Corticosteroids: Topical, injectable, or oral to reduce immune activity
• Topical immunotherapy: To stimulate hair growth by triggering allergic reaction
• Minoxidil: To encourage hair regrowth
• Other immunomodulators: Such as methotrexate or JAK inhibitors in severe cases
• Counseling and support for psychological impact