Hair Loss Glossary - Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata

An autoimmune condition where the body produces antibodies against its own hair follicles. It is characterized by the sudden appearance of smooth circular patches of bald spots on the scalp, beard, eyelashes, or other parts of the body. Hair transplantation is generally not indicated for this condition and treatment consists of injections with cortisone or other medical therapies. Generally the earlier the onset and the more extensive the hair loss, the worse the prognosis. Other characteristic features include: 1) exclamation point hairs – hairs tapered at the bottom due to the inflammation which causes injury to the hair shaft, 2) hair pigment changes, 3) grid-like nail pitting, 4) positive hair pull test – showing telogen hairs and hairs with tapered broken ends (dystrophic anagen hairs).