Alopecia Areata: Questions and Answers

Alopecia areata (AA) is not a life-threatening illness; but, it may trigger alarm for affected individual, causing extreme psychosocial and emotional problem.

What is alopecia areata (AA)?

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that targets the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles, causing them to shrink; hence, hampering the hair growth cycle.

How to describe its pattern of hair loss?

Alopecia areata is characterized by patchy hair loss, which occurs on any other hair-growing parts of the body. AA tends to be rapid, involving hair loss covering one side of the head more than the other. In many circumstances, the condition does not extend beyond a few bare patches. However, in rare cases, the hair loss is more extensive.

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