ALOPECIA AREATA

Pharmacy

An autoimmune condition known as alopecia areata causes non-scarring bald patches to form on the body parts that have hair. The most frequent site of involvement is the scalp. Any age group might be affected by alopecia areata. Oval or round hair loss patterns are typical. Alopecia areata can evolve from complete alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis with substantial onychodystrophy of all body hair. Although other parts of the head, such as the eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard, may also be affected, it is mostly defined by reversible loss of hair affecting the scalp. The various types of hair loss, that can affect all hair-bearing areas, range from loss in clearly defined patches through diffuse and total hair loss. Around 2% of a general population will experience alopecia areata at some point in their lives. One of the main causes of alopecia areata is believed to be a breakdown in hair follicle privilege. The clinical signs of alopecia areata are typically used to make the diagnosis, however histopathology and dermoscopy may also be useful. Medical treatment for alopecia areata is challenging, but recent developments in understanding its molecular pathways have revealed new medicines and the potential for remission soon. The major goal of treatment is to control disease activity. Topical, intralesional, and systemic therapy are the preferred forms of treatment.

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