Alopecia AreataBy Sami and Kyle

Alopecia Areata is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss. ◦ About the size of a quarter

In some cases people can lose more hair…

What is it?

Total Hair Loss

White blood cells gather around the affected hair root or hair follicle and are mistaken by the body as foreign.

This will cause mild inflammation which leads to the hair becoming weak and falling out resulting in bald patches on the head or on the body.

Scientists believe there are certain genes that cause Alopecia Areata.

Why is it Autoimmune?

Patchy hair loss◦ 1 or more coin-sized, round, smooth, bare patches

“Exclamation mark” hairs◦ Hairs that get narrower at the bottom

Symptoms

Widespread hair loss◦ This is uncommon

Nail problems◦ Tiny pinpoint dents (pitting), white spots or lines,

be rough, loss of shine, or become thin and split. Rarely nails change shape or fall off

Symptoms

This is cases with less than 50% hair loss◦ Cortisone injections◦ Topical Minoxidil ◦ Anthralin cream or ointment

Treatment: Mild Cases

This is cases with more than 50% hair loss◦ Cortisone Pills◦ Topical Immunotherapy◦ Wigs

Treatment: Severe Cases

To test for alopecia areata a scalp biopsy will be done, blood tests may be done to check for autoimmune conditions and thyroid problems.

Full recovery is common unless they got it when they were young, have had it for a long time, have widespread or complete hair loss or have eczema.

Other Info

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002421/ http://www.hairtherapyforwomen.com/causes.html http://www.dermaamin.com/site/atlas-of-dermatology/21-v/1512-vitiligoalopecia-areata-.html http://www.niams.nih.gov http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Alopecia-Areata.htm http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/alopecia-areata/signs-sympto

ms http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0815/p356.html http://dermatology.about.com/cs/hairloss/a/alopeciaareata.htm http://www.naaf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_alopecia_treatment\ http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/alopecia_areata.html http://marbohair.com/initiator-of-alopecia-totalis/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001450.htm

Works Cited