What is alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata (say "al-uh-PEE-shuh ar-ee-ah-tuh") is a type of hair loss that affects the hair on the scalp or other areas of the body. The condition can go away for some time, and then come back. It's more common in young people, but it can happen at any age.

Your hair may fall out in clumps and grow back over time. The pattern of hair loss and growth is different for everyone. For many people, the hair grows back within a year.

You may decide to wait and see whether your hair grows again before trying medicines. Treatment may include shots in your scalp or skin, pills, or medicine you put on your scalp or skin. However, medicines don't always work.

If you have hair loss, you may have a wide range of feelings. If you need support, try talking to a counselor.

Alopecia areata usually begins when clumps of hair fall out. You then may have smooth, round hairless patches on the scalp or other areas of the body, like the eyebrows. Sometimes the hair may become thinner without patches of baldness. Or it may grow and break off, leaving short stubs (called "exclamation point" hairs). The hair loss often comes and goes—hair will grow back over several months in one area but will fall out in another area.

When there are patches of hair loss, the hair often grows back within one year. Though the new hair is usually the same color and texture as the rest of the hair, it sometimes is fine and white.

Sometimes the fingernails and toenails look as if a pin had made many tiny dents in them. They may also look like sandpaper.

Symptoms may include your hair falling out in clumps and growing back over time. The pattern of hair loss and growth is different for everyone. For many people, the hair grows back within a year.

Because hair often grows back within a year, you may choose not to treat the condition. Treatments include shots into the scalp or skin, pills, and other medicines that are applied to the skin. Immunotherapy may be used.

Alopecia areata is diagnosed through a medical history and physical exam. Your doctor will ask you questions about your hair loss, look at the pattern of your hair loss, and check your scalp. And the doctor may tug gently on a few hairs or pull some out.

If the reason for your hair loss is not clear, your doctor may do tests to check for a disease that could be causing your hair loss. Tests may include:

• Hair analysis. Your doctor will take a sample of your hair and look at it with a small hand-held microscope called a dermatoscope. A scalp biopsy is also sometimes taken.
• Blood tests. This includes testing for a specific condition, such as a thyroid problem. This condition is often linked to thyroid issues.

• If you decide to treat your child's hair loss, use medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your child's doctor if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine.
• Try hair products and styles that make hair look thicker. Or your child could wear a hat. Shaving their scalp is also an option.
• Talk to your child's doctor if your child is upset about their hair loss. Your child can get counseling to help.

Alopecia areata (say "al-uh-PEE-shuh ar-ee-ah-tuh") is a type of hair loss that affects hair on the scalp or other areas of the body. The condition happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, where hair growth begins. Alopecia areata is more common in young people. But it can happen at any age.