Alopecia 101

August 30, 2017

Alopecia 101

Alopecia (pronounced al-oh-pee-shah) is the clinical term for hair loss, and there are quite a few different types.

Common types include—

Alopecia areata- hair loss in circular patches
Androgenetic alopecia- more commonly known as male and female pattern baldness
Alopecia universalis- total hair less on the body
Scarring alopecia- caused by damage to hair follicles (usually a result of a skin condition)
Anagen effluvium- temporary hair loss due to a vast variety of causes (ex. Postpartum, diet, medication, illness, etc.)

Alopecia can onset rather suddenly in healthy people and many may feel confused about what is causing it. It’s important to know that alopecia is not contagious. Alopecia may be hereditary, a result of hormonal changes and excesses, or even an autoimmune disorder in the case of alopecia areata.

Though there is not a cure for alopecia, there are a variety of ways it can be treated to protect the skin, speed hair regrowth, and mask the hairless areas. If you are noticing hair loss, the first step to treatment is to see a doctor for an official clinical diagnosis and identify treatment strategies.