Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease and every person living with it has a unique story. Learn more about the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of living with alopecia areata.

woman with alopecia areata on scalpwoman with alopecia areata on scalp

REAL-LIFE REFLECTIONS

Watch as patients reflect on their experiences with alopecia areata and courageously share their stories.

Woman with alopecia areata with quote "there's a whole community of alopecia areata warriors that will have your back"

“There’s a whole community of alopecia areata warriors that will have your back.”

Supriya

The truth about alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks hair follicles at the root and causes hair to fall out. Normally, hair is protected from immune system attacks. But in alopecia areata, this protection is lost.

icon of a figure with alopecia areata on the scalp

Hair loss can occur on the scalp, face (eyebrows, eyelashes, nose hair, facial hair) and other parts of the body. i,ii

icon of a woman sneezing

Alopecia areata may impact the body in other ways. Especially if someone has hair loss on different parts of the body, they might experience eye irritation, frequent runny nose and sneezing, sensitivity to temperature and sunburn, and weakness or breaking of the nails. iii

icon of female healthcare worker

When evaluating alopecia areata, a dermatologist may look at various factors such as the amount of hair loss, the location of hair loss (including eyebrows or eyelashes), and the length of time since diagnosis. i, ii

icon of two figures talking with one arm around the shoulder

Hair loss can be an emotional experience and it may be hard to talk about with others. Sharing feelings with a support system and dermatologist can help patients manage the disease’s impact on everyday life. i

Alopecia Areata by the Numbers

You’re not alone. Many people around the world are living with the challenges of alopecia areata.

2

percent of people worldwide will experience alopecia in their lifetime i

6.6

million people in the US may be diagnosed with alopecia areata in their lifetimesi, iv

80

percent of alopecia areata cases typically appear by age 40 i

adult woman with alopecia areata on scalp

Some Different Patterns of Alopecia Areata

Patchy
alopecia areata

The most common form, with small, round bald spots on the scalp. i, ii

alopecia
Totalis (AT)

Total hair loss on the whole scalp. i, ii

alopecia
Universalis (AU)

Total hair loss on the whole body. i, ii

Test your knowledge

Can you tell the difference between myth and fact when it comes to alopecia areata?
Take this simple quiz to test your knowledge of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is just a cosmetic condition.

Myth

Correct. Alopecia areata is more than just hair loss. It’s an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles at the root and causes hair to fall out. Eye irritation, frequent runny nose, and sensitivity to sunburn also may result from alopecia areata. i,ii,iii

Fact

Incorrect. Alopecia areata is more than just hair loss. It’s an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles at the root and causes hair to fall out. Eye irritation, frequent runny nose, and sensitivity to sunburn also may result from alopecia areata. i,ii,iii

1
2
3
4
5
6

Hair loss caused by alopecia areata is unpredictable.

Myth

Incorrect. This is a fact. In alopecia areata hair loss is unpredictable. At any time, hair loss or hair regrowth may start or stop. i

Fact

Correct. In alopecia areata, hair loss is unpredictable. At any time, hair loss or hair regrowth may start or stop. i

1
2
3
4
5
6

Alopecia areata only affects hair on the scalp.

Myth

Correct. While alopecia areata most commonly affects the hair on the scalp, it can also affect hair on other parts of the body, including leg hair, arm hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, nose hair, and facial hair. i, ii

Fact

Incorrect. This is a myth. Alopecia areata most commonly affects the hair on the scalp, but it can also affect hair on other parts of the body, including leg hair, arm hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, nose hair and facial hair. i, ii

1
2
3
4
5
6

All types of hair loss are the same.

Myth

Correct. Alopecia is a general term for “hair loss,” but there are many different types. v Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease driven by an inflammatory attack on the hair follicle. i There are many other causes as well, including androgenic alopecia, which is pattern baldness most commonly occurring in males. i

Fact

Incorrect. Alopecia is a general term for “hair loss,” but there are many different types. v Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease driven by an inflammatory attack on the hair follicle. i There are many other causes as well, including androgenic alopecia, which is pattern baldness most commonly occurring in males. i

1
2
3
4
5
6

Living with alopecia areata can affect well-being and aspects of daily life.

Myth

Incorrect. Alopecia areata can have a real impact on patients’ daily lives and there can be an emotional burden. ii, vi

Fact

Correct. Alopecia areata can have a real impact on patients’ daily lives and there can be an emotional burden. ii, vi

1
2
3
4
5
6

Only adults are affected by alopecia areata.

Myth

Correct. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can affect all ages, genders, and ethnicities. About 20 percent of people with alopecia areata are diagnosed by age 18. vii

Fact

Incorrect. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can affect all ages, genders, and ethnicities. About 20 percent of people with alopecia areata are diagnosed by age 18. vii

1
2
3
4
5
6

Thank you

SOURCES

  • i Villasante Fricke AC, Miteva M. Epidemiology and burden of alopecia areata: a systematic review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2015;8:397-403. doi:10.2147/CCID.S53985.

  • ii Pratt CH, King LE, Messenger AG, Christiano AM, Sundberg JP. Alopecia areata. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2017;3:17011. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.11.

  • iii Aldhouse, et al. (2020). "'You lose your hair, what's the big deal?' I was so embarrassed, I was so self-conscious, I was so depressed:" a qualitative interview study to understand the psychosocial burden of alopecia areata. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes. 2020;4(76). doi: 10.1186/s41687-020-00240-7.

  • iv Census Bureau, U. S. (2021). United States Census Bureau International Data Base. Suitland, Silverland, Maryland; U.S Census Bureau .

  • v Mubki, T., Rudnicka, L., Olszewska, M., Shaprio, J. (2014). Evaluation and diagnosis of the hair loss patient. JAAD. 2015;71:415.E1-415.E15. doi.10.1016/j.jaad.2014.04.070.

  • vi Strazzulla L, Hsi Chun Wang E, Avila L, et. al. (2018). Alopecia areata: Disease characteristics, clinical evaluation, and new perspectives on pathogenesis. 2018;78:1-12.

  • vii Harries, M., et al. The epidemiology of alopecia areata: a population-based cohort study in UK primary care. British Journal of Dermatology. 2022; 186: 257-265. Doi.10.1111/bjd.20628.