$Unique_ID{BRK01330}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is Alopecia Areata a Rare Condition?}
$Subject{hair loss woman alopecia skin subcutaneous tissue areata scalp beard
autoimmune disorder follicle bald balding baldness follicles immune
system immunity}
$Volume{L-20,U-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is Alopecia Areata a Rare Condition?


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QUESTION:  I am a 37 year old female recently diagnosed as having alopecia
areata.  My doctor didn't seem to know very much about the disease, other than
it is caused by stress.  Is the condition rare?  Any information you can
provide me will be greatly appreciated.

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ANSWER:  I wouldn't call it rare, as more than two million people in the
United States alone will have had to live and cope with mild to severe hair
loss due to alopecia areata.  It begins with the sudden loss of a patch of
hair in people with no obvious illness, and may affect the scalp or beard.
Some people develop only a few bare patches and regrow them within a year,
even without treatment.  The prognosis is better when it first occurs in
adults, rather then when it begins in childhood.  Alopecia areata is thought
to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly forms antibodies
against some part of the hair follicle.  It is not related to common baldness.
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) established in 1981 to help
people just like you, is a fine source of additional information.  You may
contact them by writing to:  NAAF, 714 "C" Street, San Rafael, CA 94901.  The
telephone number is (415) 456-4644.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.