What Is Alopecia?
Alopecia encompasses a diverse group of hair loss disorders that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. The most common types include androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), alopecia areata (autoimmune hair loss), and various forms of scarring alopecia. If you’re experiencing sudden hair loss, patchy baldness, or progressive thinning that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter treatments, professional evaluation is essential for proper diagnosis and effective treatment.
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to sudden hair loss in round patches. This condition can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis). Androgenetic alopecia, the most common form, results from genetic predisposition and hormonal factors.
Key characteristics of different alopecia types:
- Alopecia Areata: Sudden, patchy hair loss with smooth, round bald spots
- Androgenetic Alopecia: Gradual thinning and pattern baldness
- Alopecia Totalis: Complete scalp hair loss
- Alopecia Universalis: Total body hair loss, including eyebrows and eyelashes
- Scarring Alopecia: Permanent hair loss with follicle destruction
Recent advances in understanding alopecia have led to breakthrough treatments, particularly FDA-approved JAK inhibitors that offer hope for patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata.
