Asked by: Terri Thoensen
medical health skin and dermatology

Does alopecia areata spread?

Last Updated: 22nd January, 2020

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Alopecia areata often begins suddenly with ovalorround bald patches appearing most commonly on the scalp. Newpatchesmay spread by joining existing bald patches. Theselargerbald areas can appear while hair is regrowing inolderhairless patches. Loss of hair can be permanent insomecases.

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Moreover, how quickly does alopecia spread?

In some cases, patchy baldness may come and go overmanymonths or years. The size of the bald patch or patches andhowlong they last are quite variable. If less than half ofthescalp is affected and no treatment is started, there is aboutan80% chance of full hair regrowth within one year.

Also, can you catch alopecia from someone? It is not contagious; you can't catchAAfrom someone who has it. AA can affect men,women,and children. It often appears as well-defined circularbaldpatches on the scalp. Many people will get justoneor two patches, but for some the hair loss canbeextensive.

Similarly, what causes alopecia areata to spread?

Causes. The condition occurs when whitebloodcells attack the cells in hair follicles, causing themtoshrink and dramatically slow down hair production. It isunknownprecisely what causes the body's immune system totargethair follicles in this way.

Can you lose all your hair with alopecia areata?

It's rare, but you can lose all the haironyour head (alopecia areata totalis) or entirebody(alopecia areata universalis). Each case ofalopeciaareata is different. Sometimes, hair grows backbutfalls out again later.

Related Question Answers

Apsara Coordts

Professional

Do alopecia spots get bigger?

Usually, the bald patches appear suddenlyandaffect only a limited area. The hair grows back within 12 monthsorless. For some people, however, the problem can last longer andbemore severe, causing total baldness (alopecia totalis)ortotal loss of body hair (alopeciauniversalis).

Bhupinder Kuehnel

Professional

How does alopecia totalis start?

Researchers and doctors aren't yet able to pinpointtheexact cause of alopecia totalis, though it's understandthatthe condition is the result of an immune system problem. Ifyouhave any form of alopecia, your immune system attacksyourhair follicles. This attack triggers inflammation, which leadstohair loss.

Eduin Postigo

Professional

What causes female alopecia?

Tumors of the pituitary gland or ovary, whichsecreteandrogen, may also lead to hair loss. Other causes ofhairloss in women include: Autoimmune disease:Alopeciaareata is a rare autoimmune disorder thatcauses the immunesystem to attack the hair follicles leadingto hairloss.

Minjie Arina

Explainer

What are the early signs of alopecia?

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:
  • Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common typeofhair loss, affecting both men and women as they age.
  • Circular or patchy bald spots.
  • Sudden loosening of hair.
  • Full-body hair loss.
  • Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp.

Assmae Huppauff

Explainer

Will alopecia grow back?

There is no cure for alopecia areata. If youhavea few, small patches of hair loss on your head, it'slikelyyour hair will grow back within a few months. Forlargerareas of hair loss, your doctor may prescribesteroidinjections under your scalp. This could help regrowyourhair.

Giacomo Karimi

Explainer

Can alopecia be a sign of something else?

Alopecia may have no symptoms otherthanthe loss of hair, or it can be associated withitchingand/or rash of the scalp. The word alopecia comesfrom theGreek alopex for "fox." Foxes are less furry when afflictedwith askin disease (the "mange") that causes them to losetheirhair.

Deandra Karahalios

Pundit

What is the best treatment for alopecia?

Treatments for mild alopecia areata
  • INTRALESIONAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS. This methodoftreatment — the most common form of treatment foralopeciaareata — uses corticosteroids that are injected intobarepatches of skin with a tiny needle.
  • TOPICAL MINOXIDIL.
  • ANTHRALIN CREAM OR OINTMENT.
  • TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS.

Anyeli Keyush

Pundit

Is Alopecia a symptom of something else?

The main symptom of alopecia areataishair loss. Hair usually falls out in small patches onthescalp. These patches are often several centimeters or less.Hairloss might also occur on other parts of the face,likethe eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard, as well as otherpartsof the body.

Narine Harel

Pundit

How do you prevent alopecia from getting worse?

What can I do to manage my alopecia?
  1. Avoid hair and scalp trauma. Use a soft-bristled hair brushandwide-toothed comb to protect your scalp from damage. Avoidtheoveruse of chemicals on your hair.
  2. Eat healthy foods. Hair loss can be caused bypoornutrition.
  3. Reduce stress. Try to get enough sleep and daily exercise.

Chery Kafka

Pundit

How long does an episode of alopecia areata last?

Alopecia areata is a skin disorder thatcauseshair loss, usually in patches, most often on thescalp.Usually, the bald patches appear suddenly and affect only alimitedarea. The hair grows back within 12 months orless.

Nando Ugaldea

Pundit

Is Alopecia Areata permanent?

Alopecia areata facts
It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, inwhichhair follicles, are damaged by a misguided immune system. Formostpatients, the condition resolves without treatment within ayear,but hair loss is sometimes permanent. Manytreatmentsare known to aid in hair regrowth.

Shengjie Uyguyg

Teacher

Can alopecia go away on its own?

Alopecia areata (AA) causes hair lossinsmall, round patches that may go away on theirown,or may last for many years. Nearly 2% of the U.S.population (aboutfour million people) will develop AA intheirlifetime. The immune system, for unknown reasons, attacksthe hairroot and causes hair loss.

Bouamama Bedoya

Teacher

Who is affected by alopecia?

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmuneskindisease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face andsometimeson other areas of the body. In fact, it affects asmany as6.8 million people in the U.S. with a lifetime risk of 2.1%.Peopleof all ages, both sexes and all ethnic groups candevelopalopecia areata.

Maricielo Camba

Teacher

Is alopecia totalis genetic?

People with alopecia totalis lose all of thehairfrom their scalp. It is a rare autoimmune disease, inwhichgenetics plays a role. It is an advanced form ofthehair-loss condition alopecia areata. Noteveryonewith alopecia areata will go on to developalopeciatotalis (AT).

Eliceo Androsik

Teacher

Is Alopecia sudden or gradual?

Alopecia does not refer to normal, everydaylossof hair. Alopecia occurs for many different reasonsandpresents in various ways. It can occur suddenly ordevelopgradually over time. Sudden-onset causesincludeillness, diet, medications, and childbirth.

Angelique Tekstra

Reviewer

What can a dermatologist do for hair loss?

Dermatologists recommend treating hairlossearly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasapprovedminoxidil to treat hair loss. It is the onlyhairre-growth product approved for men and women. Adermatologistmay combine minoxidil with anothertreatment.

Coronacion Obermair

Reviewer

Does stress cause alopecia?

Alopecia areata
It develops when your immune system attacks yourhairfollicles. This may be triggered by stress, anditcan result in hair loss.

Windy Wienken

Reviewer

Where does alopecia usually start?

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmunediseasethat results in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere.Itusually starts with one or more small, round,smoothpatches. It occurs in males and females of all ages andraces, butonset most often occurs in childhood.

Melvi Juge

Reviewer

What is best vitamin for hair loss?

One of the best known vitamins forhairgrowth is a B-vitamin called biotin. Studies linkbiotindeficiency with hair loss in humans ( 5 ). Althoughbiotinis used as an alternative hair-loss treatment,thosewho are deficient have the best results.

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22nd January, 2020

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