The Facts
Alopecia refers to hair loss from any part of the body for any reason. There are several types, ranging from thinning hair to complete baldness.
Diffuse alopecia (thinning scalp hair) is common among seniors - both men and women alike.
Androgenic alopecia, also known as "male pattern baldness," can strike younger as well as older people. In spite of its masculine name, women can get this condition. It's genetic, so having a family history can predict if you might inherit it. In both men and women, it's linked to having an excess of male hormones (androgens) around the hair follicles, which can block hair growth. Women are more likely to develop androgenic alopecia after menopause, when they have fewer female hormones.
Most cases of hair loss are due to androgenic alopecia. Approximately 50% of men by the age of 50 years and 15% of women before the time they reach menopause have some degree of androgenic alopecia.
Alopecia areata typically causes a few temporary bald patches on the scalp. It tends to run in families and often strikes in childhood. The hair loss seems to be part of an immune system problem, in which the body's natural defenses mistakenly attack its own tissue. Once the hair has fallen out in certain spots, new growth is suppressed for weeks or months. This type of alopecia usually affects people who have other "autoimmune" diseases like thyroidism or pernicious anemia. It rarely produces complete scalp baldness (alopecia totalis) or total loss of body hair (alopecia universalis).
Alopecia areata affects about 1% of the general population, and 20% of these cases may progress to alopecia totalis. Only about 1% will go on to develop alopecia universalis, affecting all body hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes.
Scarring alopecia is a kind of scarring caused by deep bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. Scarred areas will not regrow hair. For example, fungus can leave permanent bald patches.
Causes
There are many different potential causes of alopecia. Hair loss - temporary or permanent - can be triggered by any number of factors. These can include allergies, irritants, toxins, burns, injuries, and infections. We also know that certain medications (especially anabolic steroids), chronic kidney failure, radiation, and chemotherapy can cause hair to fall out. Sometimes, hair loss may be due to a vitamin A overdose, iron deficiency (anemia), a malfunctioning thyroid gland, fever, or pregnancy.
