Photo courtesy of Alopecia world
Judy 1612
Photo Courtesy of Alopeica World
KimF4L
Photo courtesy of a bodybeautiful.com
Video courtesy of YouTube
Click here to watch a slideshow about alopecia in women
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/ss/slideshow-womens-hair-loss
Alopecia areata is an acquired skin disease that can affect all hair-bearing skin and is characterized by localized areas of non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata, as a rule, is rarely associated with any other external or internal medical problems. Most often these bald areas regrow their hair spontaneously.
Alopecia areata is rare before the age of 3. There seems to be a significant tendency to inherit alopecia areata from ancestors.
Current evidence suggests that alopecia areata is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. This particular abnormality leads to autoimmunity, a misguided immune system that tends to attack its own body. As a result, the immune system attacks particular tissues of the body. In alopecia areata, for unknown reasons, the body's own immune system attacks the hair follicles and disrupts normal hair formation. Biopsies of affected skin show immune lymphocytes penetrating into the hair bulb of the hair follicles. Alopecia areata is occasionally associated with other autoimmune conditions such as allergic disorders, thyroid disease, vitiligo, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. The diagnosis or treatment of these diseases is unlikely to affect the course of alopecia areata. Sometimes, alopecia areata occurs within family members, suggesting a role of genes.
