NAAF - What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata

(al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-AH-tah) is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and the body. This common but very challenging and erratic disease affects more than 4.7 million people in the United States alone.

The loss often starts with one or more small round patches.

Affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp or body hair loss. Alopecia

Although it is not a life-threatening disease, alopecia areata is most certainly life-altering. Its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease.


	Alopecia Areata (al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-AH-tah) is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and the body. This common but very challenging and erratic disease affects more than 4.7 million people in the United States alone. The loss often starts with one or more small round patches. Affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp or body hair loss. Alopecia Areata is not life threatening. Although it is not a life-threatening disease, alopecia areata is most certainly life-altering. Its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease.