Alopecia areata has an autoimmune basis, meaning that the immunes system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. The exact causes for this phenomenon remain unknown. Nevertheless, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or type I diabetes are more prone to developing alopecia areata.
The first and most obvious symptom of Alopecia areata is the hair loss in patches. Patches of hair sizing few centimeters begin to fall out, mostly from the scalp area. However, these patches can develop in the beard, the eye lashes and the eyebrows. This hair loss can be sudden or gradual over a period of several days. The hair follicles are not completely destroyed, which means that new hair can develop in the future.
Your Online Health Specialist will address a series of targeted questions to you, to assess whether your symptoms could be indicative of Alopecia areata. Then your specialist may recommend a specialized blood test or other molecular-level diagnostic tests to identify possible hormonal and/or biochemical imbalances. In most cases a consultation with a Dermatologist may be recommended. Your personalized treatment plan will be based upon the diagnostic tests results, the symptoms described and your medical history overall.