Alopecia areata

Abstract

Alopecia areata, which is a condition with characteristic regional hair loss on the top of the head, is quite common in outpatient departments and clinics. The hair loss is rather rapid during the acute phase and the development into a severe form of alopecia may be related to the younger onset, along with nail changes, family history of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthmatic bronchitis, etc., or other autoimmune diseases. Physically, a large area of hair loss can be observed, as well as other typical features, including broken hair roots and exclamation mark hairs. The classic histopathological sign is the infiltration of lymphocytes around the hair follicles. Moreover, alopecia is not limited to the scalp, and hairs on any part of the body are subjected to the effect of this disease.