Alopecia

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Alopecia, under treatment

Alopecia areata with pustules

Alopecia totalis - back view of the head

Alopecia totalis - front view of the head

Alopecia areata is hair loss of unknown cause, characterized by round patches of complete baldness.

Alopecia totalis; Alopecia universalis

The specific cause of alopecia areata is unknown. A family history of alopecia is present in about a fifth of all cases. Alopecia areata is occasionally associated with autoimmune diseases.

Alopecia may also occur as alopecia totalis with complete loss of scalp hair or as alopecia universalis with total loss of all body hair.

Review Date: 10/26/2006
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.