Is the loss of hair on the body.
Absence of hair from areas where it is normally present.
Hair loss; baldness; absence of hair from skin areas where it is normally present.
A lack or loss of bodily hair that is most obvious on the scalp, which tends to develop patchy hair loss.
Partial or total loss of hair where hair normally grows, not only as a result of the normal aging process, but also from various other causes, such as a hormone disorder, skin disorder, or reaction to some drugs or therapies, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Alopecia areata is a recurring disease of unknown origin causing bald patches to appear on the body for months at a time. Hair loss of a different sort can result from compulsive hair-pulling, called trichotillomania.
Loss of hair; baldness. It may be partial or complete, permanent or temporary. It can result from hereditary factors, hormonal imbalances, certain diseases, drugs and treatments (e.g., chemotherapy for cancer), and sometimes normal aging. Treatment is limited; the Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug minoxidil, marketed in a liquid form called Rogaine, for use in male-pattern baldness (loss of hair on the crown of the head). Human hair transplants have worked well in selected cases.
Partial or complete lack of hair; partial lack on scalp and face (areata); complete lack on scalp (totalis); complete lack of any body hair (universalis).
Baldness; absence of hair from areas where it normally is present. Alopecia can stem from genetic causes and is also associated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, scarring, stress, endocrine disorders, certain drugs, and other factors. Male pattern bald-ness (androgenic alopecia), the most common type of baldness, is characterized by a progressive symmetrical loss of scalp hair in men in their 20s and 30s, starting at the front, eventually leaving only a peripheral ring of hair. It is an inherited condition that can also affect women.
Baldness; absence of hair from areas where it normally is present. Alopecia can stem from genetic causes and is also associated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, scarring, stress, endocrine disorders, certain drugs, and other factors. Male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia), the most common type of baldness, is characterized by a progressive symmetrical loss of scalp hair in men in their 20s and 30s, starting at the front, eventually leaving only a peripheral ring of hair. It is an inherited condition that can also affect women, although somewhat later, with less severe loss of frontal hair. The trait seems to be aggravated by the presence of m ale sex hormones.
Absence of hair from areas where it normally grows. Alopecia may be hereditary (the usual progressive loss of scalp hair in men); it may be due to disease or injury, or it can occur in old age. Alopecia areata is a condition of unknown origin in which hair falls out in patches.
Hair loss. It may be localised or total. The commonest type, which is hereditary, is male baldness (androgenic alopecia). Female balding spares the anterior hair line, develops later, and is less severe than the male variety. Diffuse, sudden and rapid hair loss sometimes occurs after childbirth, severe illness or infection (telogen alopecia); it begins 8-12 weeks after the causative event and recovery is complete in most cases, but the condition is permanent in a few. Persistent diffuse hair loss may be caused by severe iron deficiency or hypothyroidism, 4 or may be drug-induced.
The condition characterized by the vanishing or lack of hair, which can manifest at any location on the body with hair, yet typically becomes evident solely on the scalp.
The prevailing type of hair loss known as male-pattern baldness, which represents the most frequent form of alopecia, is inherited and predominantly afflicts men. In this condition, normal hair undergoes a gradual loss, initially starting from the temples and crown, and is eventually replaced by delicate and fluffy hair. As time passes, the affected area expands progressively. There exist rare hereditary variations of alopecia as well, which may stem from the absence of hair follicles or abnormalities in the structure of the hair shaft.
In cases of generalized alopecia, there is a significant and notable shedding of hair in large quantities. This type of hair loss occurs when all the hair follicles concurrently enter a resting phase, and approximately three months later, they naturally fall out. Factors contributing to this condition include surgical procedures, prolonged periods of illness, or the experience of childbirth. In such instances, the hair tends to regrow without the need for specific treatment. Temporary alopecia can also be caused by various anticancer medications. Typically, the hair begins to grow back once the completion of the treatment has taken place.
Localized alopecia can occur as a consequence of enduring skin damage, such as burns or radiotherapy, leading to permanent effects. Additionally, trauma inflicted upon the hair roots through styling or, in rare cases, trichotillomania—an impulse control disorder characterized by compulsive hair pulling—can also result in localized alopecia. Among the most prevalent forms of localized hair loss is alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. While there is no specific treatment for alopecia areata, hair typically regrows within a few months. However, alopecia universalis represents a rare and enduring variant of alopecia areata, resulting in the loss of all hair on the scalp and body, including eyelashes and eyebrows. Furthermore, localized hair loss can be attributed to skin conditions such as scalp ringworm, lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, and certain skin tumors.
When it comes to male-pattern baldness, there are various treatment options available. These include hair transplants, where hair is surgically relocated to the balding areas, as well as drug treatments utilizing minoxidil or finasteride. Minoxidil and finasteride are medications commonly used to promote hair growth in individuals experiencing male-pattern baldness. In the case of generalized alopecia, it often resolves naturally without requiring any specific treatment. However, treatment for localized alopecia depends on the underlying cause. Identifying and addressing the root cause of localized hair loss is key in determining the appropriate course of treatment.
Hair loss, which can be present from birth or develop later in life, can occur in specific areas or affect the entire scalp. Acquired forms of hair loss may result from various factors, including scarring that damages hair follicles, exposure to chemical or bacterial toxins, or may have a nervous origin.
Alopecia should be discerned from the bald patches that appear on the scalps of children, where the skin displays signs of inflammation. This latter condition is caused by a fungal infection known as ringworm of the scalp, and it necessitates specific medical treatment to eliminate the invading fungus.