Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata, which affects around 6.7 million people in the United States and over 160 million people in the world, is an autoimmune disease that causes hair fall. The immune system in patients with alopecia areata attacks the patient’s hair follicles, therefore leading to their hair falling out. The hair loss is most common in the face, scalp, and at times, other parts of the body as well. Additional effects may include changes in the nails of patients, itching or tingling where hair loss has occurred, and irritated eyes if eyebrows and/or eyelashes are lost.

Though scientists are not sure of the exact cause of the disease, they do believe that genetics plays a role. A Pfizer study found that around 50% of the time, both people in a pair of identical twins are afflicted with the disease. Through scouring the human genome, scientists have also found that the autoimmune disease originates in the  human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, and that variations in the complex are what cause the immune system to attack the body itself. Alopecia Areata is also associated with other autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, asthma, and Grave’s disease.

In order to get treated for alopecia areata, seeing a dermatologist is crucial. The doctor may use a dermascope on the nails, fingers and hair in order to see if a patient truly is afflicted with the disease. If the dermascope does not provide a clear diagnosis, a dermatologist may also recommend a blood test.

After a confirmation of the disease, treatment options rely on different factors including age, extent of the disease, and where the hair loss is located. A dermatologist may then prescribe topical creams or ointments, therapies that can be injected into the skin, or pills that can suppress the immune system and prevent it from attacking the body. Though these treatments cannot provide a complete cure, they certainly can manage the symptoms of alopecia areata.

Bibliography:

1. https://www.pfizer.com/disease-and-conditions/alopecia-areata#:~:text=of%20Alopecia%20Areata-,An%20estimated%206.7%20million%20people%20in%20the%20United%20States%20and,a%20lifetime%20risk%20of%202%25.&text=That%20estimated%20lifetime%20risk%20for,from%201%25%20to%202%25.&text=Alopecia%20areata%20is%20equally%20prevalent,can%20occur%20at%20any%20age.

2. https://www.naaf.org/