Alopecia Areata can affect anyone — males or females of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It often starts in childhood.
- What causes Alopecia Areata?
Inflammation develops around hair follicles, causing them to shrink and stop producing hair. The immune system mistakenly attacks the follicles, but the exact trigger isn’t fully understood.
- Is it infectious?
No. Alopecia Areata is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person.
It’s an autoimmune condition that develops inside the body when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, not an infection.
- Is Alopecia Areata inherited?
There is a genetic component, around 1 in 5 people with Alopecia Areata have a family member who also has the condition. However, most cases appear without any family history, meaning genes alone don’t cause it.
- How common is it?
About 1–2 % of people worldwide will develop Alopecia Areata at some point in their lives, affecting men and women of all ages and backgrounds equally. Most cases start before age 40, often in childhood or the teen years.
- How does it start?
Alopecia Areata often starts suddenly, with small, round patches of hair loss.
The skin remains smooth and unscarred, and follicles stay alive, meaning hair can regrow.
It’s caused by inflammation around the hair follicles when the immune system mistakenly attacks them.
See the full infographic here
- What areas of the body can it affect?
Alopecia Areata can affect any hair-bearing area, most commonly the scalp, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or body hair.
In some cases, nails may also show small pits or ridges. Even when hair loss is widespread, follicles remain alive, meaning regrowth is possible.
- Will the hair grow back?
Yes. Hair follicles remain alive, so regrowth is possible even after total loss. For some, hair returns on its own; others may see cycles of shedding and regrowth. Treatment can help speed up recovery, but everyone’s experience is different
- How is Alopecia Areata diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose Alopecia Areata mainly through visual examination, looking for round patches of hair loss and smooth skin.
A biopsy or lab test is only needed when the diagnosis is uncertain or other conditions are suspected.
See the full infographic here
- Does having it affect general health?
No. Alopecia Areata only affects hair follicles and does not impact overall physical health. Most people with Alopecia Areata are completely healthy, though it can occasionally occur alongside other autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease or vitiligo.
See the full infographic here