Alopecia areata tends to occur in small, round bald spots. Hair loss or bald patches usually occur on the scalp but can also affect other areas such as eyebrows, eyelashes and beard. If hair loss occurs at a point only, usually in the head, is known as alopecia areata monolocularis. If the hair is lost in the entire scalp is alopecia totalis. If hair loss occurs in the entire body, including pubic hair, this condition is called alopecia universalis.
In dermatology, alopecia means the acceleration of hair loss or hair. The term comes from Greek alopex (fox) because of the annual fall, early spring, winter fur of this animal.
There are five types of alopecia:
* Hereditary androgenetic alopecia is the most common: it is manifested by a decrease in the volume of hair or baldness, and affects 70% of men;
* Acute alopecia: it may be related to treatment with chemotherapy, stress, nutritional deficiencies significant iron deficiency, hormonal disorders, acute radiation;
* Alopecia localized: it may be caused by skin problems (tumors, burns, alopecia), radiation or parasites (ringworm, lichen).
* Congenital alopecia. (more…)
