Understanding Alopecia Areata: What It Is and Why It Happens

Wiki Article

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own hair follicles — the tiny structures responsible for hair growth.

This attack disrupts the natural hair growth cycle, causing hair to fall out — often in small, smooth, round or oval patches. While the scalp is most commonly affected, hair loss can occur anywhere hair naturally grows, including facial hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair.

Alopecia areata doesn’t discriminate: it can affect people of any age, gender or skin type. Risk increases if there’s a family history of the condition, or if other autoimmune disorders are present.



How Alopecia Might Show Up?

Patchy bald spots — typically coin-sized areas of smooth skin where hair used to be.

Sudden onset — hair loss can occur rapidly, sometimes within weeks.

Possible scalp sensations — a small number of people report itching, tingling, or burning before or during hair loss. (

Other hair-bearing areas affected — beard hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, or body hair may also be lost.

Nail changes — in some cases, nails may show pitting or other minor abnormalities.

In many situations, several patches may appear simultaneously, or new patches may arise over time. For some, the condition may stay limited to just a few small spots; in others, it can progress more broadly.

Map Direction

Why Does It Happen?

The core issue in alopecia areata is immune system mis-recognition. Normally, hair follicles are shielded from immune attack. But in this condition, that protection breaks down, and immune cells treat follicles as harmful intruders — attacking them and halting hair growth.

Several factors may influence susceptibility: genetic predisposition, a personal or family history of autoimmune disease, and possibly environmental or stress-related triggers. However, the precise cause remains complex and not fully understood.

It’s important to stress: alopecia areata is not contagious. You cannot catch it or “give” it through contact.

Shuna Hammocks Trichology
Willow House, The Anderida Practice, Lower Rd, Forest Row RH18 5ES, United Kingdom
+447860387332