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ALOPECIA AREATA

This patient information and photographs on Alopecia Areata is provided by John L. Meisenheimer, M.D. a board certified Dermatologist and skin care specialist based in Orlando, Florida.  This information is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice or treatment of a dermatologist or other physician.

What is it?    This is an unpredictable disease in which there is sudden hair loss in one or more circular patterns on the scalp or other hair bearing areas. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in older children and teenagers. More than 4 million people in the U.S. have been affected by this condition.

What causes it?    Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease. This means, the body defenses mistakenly see the hair roots as foreign invaders and attack them causing the hairs to fall out. Fortunately the roots are not usually damaged, and the hair can often re-­grow once the attack is over. What turns this attack on and off is unknown.

Is it dangerous?    For the typical healthy person alopecia Areata is a harmless disorder. It is unrelated to cancer and it does not involve internal organs. In rare cases the hair loss may become extensive. Alopecia Areata can be life altering due to its significant psychological impact on those afflicted.

Can it be cured?    Most patients (over 90%) will get hair re-growth within 2 years even without treatment. Because of this, in many limited cases, treatment is not recommended. Medical treatment can speed the return of hair growth in some cases. I evaluate each patient and tailor the treatment plan individually for their own circumstance. Unfortunately, in a few cases re-growth may not occur even with treatment. In young children with extensive hair loss the chances of complete re-growth without relapses are poor.

Will it spread?    In some rare cases hair loss may become extensive even with treatment.

Will it happen again?    Relapses are common.

Is it contagious?    It is not contagious and you cannot "catch it" from anyone. It is not ringworm.

Do hair restorers work?    Because the natural course of the disease is re­growth even without treatment, there will always be worthless tonics with impressive pictorial testimonials implying effectiveness. When tested under controlled conditions these "miracle" tonics are no more effective than applying plain tap water to the scalp.

© John L. Meisenheimer, M.D.  2004                                   WWW.OrlandoSkinDoc.com

Last modified: 10/19/08