What are the symptoms of alopecia areata?

Symptoms of ALOPECIA AREATA are: (1) Hair loss. (2) Scalp itch or discomfort, followed by hair falling out. (3) Change in nail shape

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Learn more about Alopecia areata

Content updated on Nov 2, 2022

What is alopecia areata?

An autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own hair roots. This causes areas of hair loss which are usually patchy and round in shape.

Symptoms of alopecia areata

Hair loss
Scalp itch or discomfort, followed by hair falling out
Change in nail shape

Questions your doctor may ask to check for alopecia areata

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose alopecia areata

Have you felt that you are losing more hair recently?
Did you have an itchy scalp before the hair started to fall?
Has your nail shape changed?

Treatment for alopecia areata

In some cases, hair may regrow without treatment. Otherwise, steroid creams or injection to the bald area may be useful. There are medications to help with severe cases.

View the symptoms of Alopecia areata

Diseases related to Alopecia areata

References

Zhou C, Li X, Wang C, Zhang J. Alopecia Areata: an Update on Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2021 Dec;61(3):403-423. doi: 10.1007/s12016-021-08883-0. Epub 2021 Aug 17. PMID: 34403083.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12016-021-08883-0
Sterkens A, Lambert J, Bervoets A. Alopecia areata: a review on diagnosis, immunological etiopathogenesis and treatment options. Clin Exp Med. 2021 May;21(2):215-230. doi: 10.1007/s10238-020-00673-w. Epub 2021 Jan 1. PMID: 33386567.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10238-020-00673-w
Gilhar A, Etzioni A, Paus R. Alopecia areata. N Engl J Med. 2012 Apr 19;366(16):1515-25. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1103442. PMID: 22512484.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1103442

Reviewed By:

Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)

From our team of 50+ doctors

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.