alopecia areata

Alopecia Areata: A Common Autoimmune Disorder

Alopecia areata is a common type of hair loss that affects millions of people worldwide. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and damages its own hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss.

Characteristics of Alopecia Areata

• Patchy Hair Loss: Alopecia areata typically presents with discrete bald patches on the scalp or other parts of the body.
• Autoimmune Disorder: The condition is caused by an autoimmune disruption in the normal hair cycle, resulting in the loss of immune tolerance to the hair follicles.
• Hair Follicle Damage: The disease causes damage to the hair follicles, leading to hair loss without permanent damage to the follicles themselves.

Types of Alopecia Areata

There are three main types of alopecia areata:

• Patchy Alopecia Areata: This is the most common type, where hair loss occurs in one or more coin-sized patches on the scalp or other parts of the body.
• Alopecia Totalis: People with this type lose all or nearly all of the hair on their scalp.
• Alopecia Universalis: In this severe form, people lose all of their body hair.

Who Gets Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata can affect anyone, but it is most common in children and young adults. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, over 80% of people with the condition experience signs of alopecia areata before the age of 40.

References:

• [1] The word "alopecia" is derived from the Latin word for baldness (Source: #5)
• [2] Alopecia can apply to many types of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia (Source: #5)
• [3] Alopecia areata differs from androgenetic alopecia in its patchy nature (Source: #11)
• [4] The condition is caused by an autoimmune disruption in the normal hair cycle (Source: #13)

Common Signs and Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss on the scalp, face, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. The symptoms can vary from person to person, but here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Round or oval bald patches: These patches can appear anywhere on the scalp, including the crown, forehead, and temples.
• Hair loss on the beard: Some people with alopecia areata experience hair loss in their beards, which can be a distressing symptom for many individuals.
• Spotty hair loss: In addition to bald patches, some people may experience spotty hair loss on other parts of the body, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, and arms.
• Nail pitting: Some people with alopecia areata may also experience nail pitting, which is a condition where small holes appear in the nails.

Other symptoms

Some people may experience additional symptoms before or after hair loss, including:

• Tingling, burning, or itching sensations: A tingling, burning, or itching sensation on the skin right before the hair falls out.
• Gray or white patches: Some people may notice gray or white patches on their scalp or other areas of the body.

Important note

Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune disease that requires medical attention. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

• [1] Round or oval bald patch on the scalp (Search result 1)
• [2] Hair loss on the beard (Search result 1)
• [3] Spotty hair loss (Search result 1)
• [4] Nail pitting (Search result 2)
• [5] Tingling, burning, or itching sensations (Search result 3)
• [6] Gray or white patches (Search result 5)

To diagnose alopecia areata, doctors typically perform a combination of physical exams and medical history evaluations.

• A physical exam may involve dermoscopy, hair pull, or Wood's lamp tests to examine the affected area and determine the extent of hair loss [7].
• Your doctor will also ask about your diet, hair care routine, and any potential environmental or genetic factors that may be contributing to your hair loss [8].

In some cases, blood tests and a biopsy may be ordered to rule out other conditions that could be causing your hair loss. For example, NYU Langone dermatologists diagnose hair loss based on the results of blood tests and a biopsy [3].

It's worth noting that any doctor can choose a specific area of medicine to specialize in, but when looking for a doctor to diagnose and treat alopecia areata, look for a board-certified dermatologist [1]. Dermatologists have expertise in diagnosing hair loss and counseling their patients on what may help them regrow their hair [4].

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that attacks your body's hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss. Treatments include medications and therapy [2].

Treatment Options for Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, can be treated with various medications. Here are some of the most effective treatment options:

• JAK Inhibitors: The FDA has approved three Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors to treat alopecia areata: Olumiant (baricitinib), LITFULO (ritlecitinib), and another medication, which is not yet widely available. These medications work by blocking the action of JAK enzymes, which play a key role in the development of alopecia areata [1][4].
• Minoxidil: Minoxidil, a topical drug, can help treat male and female pattern baldness. However, it is not specifically approved for treating alopecia areata [7].
• Corticosteroids: Oral corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, have been used to treat alopecia areata, although their effectiveness is limited [9].

Newer Treatment Options

Recently, two new medications have been approved by the FDA for treating severe alopecia areata:

• LITFULO (Ritlecitinib): This medication was approved in 2023 and is a once-daily pill that works by blocking JAK enzymes. It is indicated for adults and adolescents 12 years and older [2][3].
• Olumiant (Baricitinib): Olumiant, another JAK inhibitor, was approved in June 2022 for adults with severe alopecia areata. It is a once-daily pill that works by blocking JAK enzymes [6].

Important Notes

It's essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any treatment for alopecia areata. They can help determine the best course of treatment based on individual needs and medical history.

References:

[1] Context 4 [2] Context 2 [3] Context 3 [4] Context 11 [5] Context 5 [6] Context 6 [7] Context 7 [8] Context 9

Differential Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, requires a thorough differential diagnosis to rule out other conditions that may present similarly. Here are some key points to consider:

• Androgenetic Alopecia: Also known as male/female pattern baldness, this is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. It's characterized by gradual thinning of hair on the scalp, often starting with a receding hairline in men or thinning at the crown in women.
• Telogen Effluvium: This condition causes excessive shedding of hair due to hormonal changes, stress, or other factors. It can be difficult to distinguish from alopecia areata, but telogen effluvium typically presents with diffuse hair loss rather than distinct patches.
• Tinea Capitis: Also known as ringworm of the scalp, this fungal infection can cause circular patches of hair loss. However, it's often accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, redness, and scaling.
• Trichotillomania: This is a psychological disorder characterized by compulsive hair-pulling, which can lead to patchy hair loss. It's essential to consider this condition in patients with alopecia areata-like symptoms, especially if there's no family history of autoimmune diseases.
• Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia: This rare condition causes scarring hair loss on the scalp, often presenting as a circular or oval patch. It's more common in women and can be difficult to distinguish from alopecia areata.

Key Points to Consider

• A thorough medical history, including family history of autoimmune diseases, is crucial for differential diagnosis.
• Physical examination, including scalp inspection and hair sampling, can help differentiate between conditions.
• Laboratory tests may be necessary to rule out other underlying conditions, such as thyroid disorders or nutritional deficiencies.

According to [2], alopecia areata needs to be differentiated from other types of non-cicatricial alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, and genetic conditions. A thorough differential diagnosis is essential to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

References:

[1] Jul 31, 2024 — Differential Diagnoses · Androgenetic Alopecia · Brocq Pseudopelade · Pediatric Syphilis · Telogen Effluvium · Tinea Capitis · Trichotillomania. [2] by CH Pratt · 2017 · Cited by 814 — Differential diagnosis. Alopecia areata needs to be differentiated from other types of non-cicatricial alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, and genetic conditions ... [3] What is the differential diagnosis for alopecia areata? · Trichotillomania · Temporal triangular alopecia · Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia · Discoid lupus ...