Picture of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that results in hair loss when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Hair loss may occur in patches on the head, the whole scalp, or even the body. Alopecia areata can occur at any age, but young people under the age of 20 are most often affected. The disorder is equally prevalent in both genders. Approximately 2% of people in the U.S. will suffer from alopecia areata over the course of their lifetime.

There is no cure for alopecia areata but it can be managed with a variety of treatments. It is also possible for hair to grow back, even many years after the initial hair loss. Episodes of hair loss may be recurrent.