Alopecia is a term for conditions that result in hair loss. Sometimes it can be a sign of other health problems, but it is not contagious. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. Some of them are unrelated to an immune system response.

Some types of alopecia are related to genetic, lifestyle, or environmental factors, as well as psychological conditions that lead to hair pulling. Treatments for many types of alopecia are the same and may involve oral medications and topical therapies. For some alopecia types, behavioral changes are needed to reverse hair loss.

Read on to learn about various types of alopecia.

Alopecia can be caused by anything that affects the hair growth cycle. Alopecia can affect anyone at any age, but some types can be avoided. Your family history, age, gender, and race are all factors that can affect the likelihood of developing a form of Alopecia universalis.

A 2020 study of alopecia prevalence by race, for example, suggests that African American people are more likely than white people to develop Alopecia areata., while Asian people have the lowest odds. The researchers thought a combination of health disparities and genetics were the root cause.

The causes and symptoms of the most common types of Alopecia areata. are included in the following.

Alopecia areata

The main symptom of Alopecia areata. is hair that falls out in patches, usually on the scalp. But Alopecia areata. can affect the eyebrows, eyelashes, and elsewhere on the body.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder. With Alopecia areata., the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles, small, pocket-like holes in our skin that grow hair, similar to the way the immune system might fight an infection. Injury to the follicles results in hair loss. This type of alopecia tends to run in families.

Persistent patchy Alopecia areata.

When patchy hair loss continues but does not improve or worsens over time, it is called persistent patchy Alopecia areata. It is caused by the same factors that lead to Alopecia areata..

Alopecia totalis

When the entire scalp experiences hair loss, the condition is called Alopecia totalis.. Like some other forms of alopecia, it appears to be related to an unusual immune system response. However, researchers are still trying to discover the exact causes of Alopecia totalis..

Alopecia universalis

As its name implies, Alopecia universalis is a condition that involves complete hair loss. This includes the scalp and the rest of the body. Like other autoimmune diseases, it’s unclear why some people develop this condition and others don’t.

Diffuse Alopecia areata.

Diffuse Alopecia areata. is also known as telogen effluvium. It’s different from Alopecia areata. because your hair thins and then falls out in scattered areas across the scalp, instead of falling out in patches. In rare cases, similar hair loss patterns will occur in other areas of the body. Causes include severe stress, sudden hormonal changes, and medication side effects.

Ophiasis alopecia

Alopecia areata affects the sides and back of the head. Young people are most affected by it.

Androgenic alopecia

Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition that affects all genders.

Male pattern

Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline or hair loss on the crown. The sides and lower back of the head are usually the last areas to lose hair, if they lose any at all.

Female pattern

Female pattern baldness is different from male pattern baldness because it usually starts with thinning hair along the part line. The part line can eventually widen, but complete baldness is rare.

Cicatricial alopecia

“cicatricial alope is an inflammatory condition that can develop after a burn or severe infection, though experts don’t understand the causes. Hair loss can occur in patches or in larger areas. The skin underneath may become itchy.”

Lichen planopilaris

Young women are more likely to be affected by Lichen planopilaris than men. Smooth patches of skin on the scalp are caused by a rare disorder.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia

A form of hair loss called frontal fibrosing alopecia is a form of The planopilaris is a lichen.. It causes hair loss just above the forehead. The eyebrows and eyelashes may be affected.

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (The name of the organization is the CCTA.)

The name of the organization is the CCTA. causes hair loss that starts on the crown and then spreads across the top of the head. According to a 2020 report, The name of the organization is the CCTA. almost exclusively affects Black women over 30 years old. Experts aren’t sure why, but The name of the organization is the CCTA. probably has multiple causes.

Traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is hair loss triggered by repeatedly pulling or tightening hair in the same direction.

Alopecia barbae

An autoimmune condition, Alopecia barbae causes beard hair to fall out in small circular patches. Sometimes patches overlap as the condition progresses. However, it’s difficult to predict how much hair will be lost.

Postpartum alopecia

“Post-birth alopecia is a condition caused by the rapid and significant drop in estrogen levels. Doctors don’t think this to be typical hair loss. Postpartum hair loss is caused by the hair growth that can occur during a pregnant woman. Regular hair growth usually starts again within a few months.”

Alopecia occurs when the hair growth cycle is interrupted. The hair loss pattern varies depending on the cause of the hair loss.

Male and female pattern hair loss can start on different parts of the scalp.

Men experience hair loss more often than women. Reduced levels of the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone can contribute to male hair loss.

The most common types of alopecia affecting men are:

  • Alopecia areata.
  • Androgenic alopecia is a disease.
  • Alopecia barbae

Women experience hair loss at a lower rate than men, but they do experience several types of hair loss. Among them are.

  • Alopecia areata.
  • Androgenic alopecia is a disease.
  • There is a condition called postpartum alopecia.
  • traction

Children experience hair loss less than adults, and certain types of hair loss can affect young people. Among them are.

  • Alopecia areata., which often begins in adolescence
  • The planopilaris is a lichen.
  • ophiasis is a disease.

While there is no cure for alopecia, several treatment options may help regrow hair or at least slow or halt further hair loss. Among the more commonly used alopecia treatments are:

Corticosteroids

Prescription-strength corticosteroids can suppress the immune system and reduce damage to healthy hair follicles. These medications include oral, topical, and injectable treatments. The types of alopecia most effectively treated by corticosteroids include:

  • Alopecia areata.
  • Alopecia totalis.
  • Alopecia universalis
  • The name of the organization is the CCTA.
  • The planopilaris is a lichen.
  • ophiasis is a disease.
  • persistent patchy Alopecia areata.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a relatively new treatment to trigger new hair growth. The treatment involves puncturing the scalp with tiny needles to promote collagen (a type of protein) production, which can restore hair growth. Types of alopecia helped by microneedling include:

  • Alopecia areata.
  • Androgenic alopecia is a disease.
  • ophiasis is a disease.

Minoxidil

The commonly used medication, minoxidil (Rogaine), is an over-the-counter product. You can apply it topically to areas experiencing hair loss. Types of hair loss that tend to respond best to minoxidil include:

  • Alopecia areata.
  • The name of the organization is the CCTA.
  • diffuse Alopecia areata.
  • ophiasis is a disease.
  • persistent patchy Alopecia areata.

Stress reduction

Managing your stress and getting through especially stressful episodes in your life can sometimes halt hair loss triggered by severe stressors. One type of alopecia that may respond to effective stress management is diffuse Alopecia areata..

Immunotherapy

In addition to corticosteroids, other types of medications can tamp down the body’s immune system response. These include oral medications, such as tofacitinib and cyclosporine. A 2018 study suggests that topical immunotherapy can be a safe and effective long-term treatment for Alopecia areata.. Doctors may also recommend immunotherapy for The planopilaris is a lichen..

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

Your blood contains special proteins that help clot. It contains some cells that support growth.

PRP is made by isolating plasma from blood and concentrating it. Experts believe that injecting PRP into damaged tissues may stimulate your body to grow new, healthy cells and promote healing.

PRP scalp injections may make the scalp healthier and therefore a better environment for hair growth. In a 2014 study, hair loss decreased and hair growth increased after PRP injections.

Alopecia is one of the causes of hair loss. Some are unavoidable but can be treated with medication or hair restoration procedures. Other types of hair loss are not limited to.

  • Age-related. Many hair follicles simply stop growing hair as the years pass.
  • Cancer treatment. Both radiation and chemotherapy can cause hair loss, though it is often temporary.
  • Hair care products. Some products and hairstyles can damage hair follicles.
  • Hormonal imbalance. This is more common in women and especially people with polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Scalp infection. Inflammation of the scalp can lead to temporary hair loss and patches of red, scaly skin.
  • Stress. Physical and emotional stressors can often cause hair to fall out. But when the stress eases, hair loss often stops.
  • Thyroid disease. Thinning hair and hair loss are common symptoms, but they can be reversed with effective thyroid treatment.

Most types of alopecia are not known or warned about. Hair growth can return on its own. Treatments are often necessary to try to grow hair. If you notice hair loss on the body, you should visit a dermatologist.

Treatments may require a combination of drugs and procedures. You may be able to prevent further hair loss and bring back some of the lost hair with some patience. If that is not possible, a dermatologist may be able to recommend hair restoration procedures.