Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. According to WebMD.com, hair loss results when the immune system attacks the source of hair growth: the hair follicles.
Alopecia areata strikes both men and women, usually under the age of 20-years old. However, the hair loss is usually only permanent for about 10-percent of alopecia patients, typically hair will regrow. Let’s learn more about alopecia areata…
Although health experts are foggy on why the body attacks hair follicles, alopecia areata does seem to correspond with certain risk factors. For instance, genetics may play a role as the autoimmune disorder seems to occur in patients with a family history of the condition.
Also, WebMD notes that alopecia often occurs in patients with another existing autoimmune disease, as well as in those who struggle with allergies (or atropy). Alopecia also often occurs prior to puberty.