What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease that manifests if the immune system attacks hair follicles with excess white blood cells. Needles to say, these do more harm than good, but not on a permanent basis. In most cases, the hair starts to fall out in small, round patches resulting in several bald spots.

Who can suffer from it?

It is not yet clear why the cells attack in such a manner, but what is know is that it can happen in any age and gender. Some may lose a little, while others might lose large chunks at a time. However, even in severe cases, complete hair loss is quite rare. The condition often starts during childhood and chances of getting it increase if it runs in the family. Additionally, since the immune system is itself confused, curing and treating it can be a bit tricky, but not impossible. It can be triggered by a disease, virus and even stress.

Incidentally, it is one of the most common causes of hair loss, especially male and female pattern baldness.

Can the Hair Grow Back?

The jury is out on this one. Yes, the receding hairline caused by Alopecia can grow new hair once again, but it might shed again as well. You may lose even hair later or it might stop growing altogether as well or you might retain the growing hair permanently. Age, gender and genes will influence which hair loss pattern you experience, but you can ensure a healthy growth by taking appropriate nutrients and multivitamins.

Currently, there is no treatment for this condition, but you can be prescribed medication that can help your hair to grow back more quickly. It is not contagious and it will not make you sick either, but taking hair growth supplements can help you combat it and give you back your lost hair.