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%  What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata   Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Hair Loss
 <h1>What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata </h1>
By Kristeen Cherney, PhDMedically Reviewed by Mohiba Tareen, MDReviewed: June 15, 2022Medically ReviewedDepending on the type, alopecia areata can cause near or total hair loss on various parts of the body, including the head.Igor Novakovic/Getty ImagesAlopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that’s caused by the immune system’s attack on hair follicles. “When this happens, the hairs gradually become thinner until they stop growing entirely,” says Michele Green, MD, a New York City–based cosmetic dermatologist.Most cases of AA impact the scalp and face, but some types involve hair loss on other parts of the body. It’s estimated that AA impacts 2 percent of people globally.
%  What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Hair Loss

What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata

By Kristeen Cherney, PhDMedically Reviewed by Mohiba Tareen, MDReviewed: June 15, 2022Medically ReviewedDepending on the type, alopecia areata can cause near or total hair loss on various parts of the body, including the head.Igor Novakovic/Getty ImagesAlopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that’s caused by the immune system’s attack on hair follicles. “When this happens, the hairs gradually become thinner until they stop growing entirely,” says Michele Green, MD, a New York City–based cosmetic dermatologist.Most cases of AA impact the scalp and face, but some types involve hair loss on other parts of the body. It’s estimated that AA impacts 2 percent of people globally.
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Yet such statistics may be an underestimation, as the prevalence continues to increase with proper diagnosis. In the United States, at least 2.5 million people may have AA.
Yet such statistics may be an underestimation, as the prevalence continues to increase with proper diagnosis. In the United States, at least 2.5 million people may have AA.
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Jack Thompson 4 minutes ago
“Having a family member with alopecia areata increases one’s risk for developing the condition,�...
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“Having a family member with alopecia areata increases one’s risk for developing the condition,” explains Brittany Craiglow, MD, of Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and associate adjunct professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven. “People who have atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, thyroid disease, vitiligo, and Down syndrome are also more likely to develop it.”Overall, AA is caused by the same autoimmune response in the body, with genetic components suspected. However, each subtype may be classified based on severity, onset, and extent of hair loss.
“Having a family member with alopecia areata increases one’s risk for developing the condition,” explains Brittany Craiglow, MD, of Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and associate adjunct professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven. “People who have atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, thyroid disease, vitiligo, and Down syndrome are also more likely to develop it.”Overall, AA is caused by the same autoimmune response in the body, with genetic components suspected. However, each subtype may be classified based on severity, onset, and extent of hair loss.
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The main types of AA are:
Patchy alopecia areataAlopecia totalisAlopecia universalis
Read on to learn more about the types of alopecia areata, how common they are, and what their potential signs and symptoms may be. <h4>Editor&#x27 s Picks</h4>

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The main types of AA are: Patchy alopecia areataAlopecia totalisAlopecia universalis Read on to learn more about the types of alopecia areata, how common they are, and what their potential signs and symptoms may be.

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Lily Watson 6 minutes ago
These cosmetic treatments can help when hair loss affects your face.…Learn More

Patchy Alopec...

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These cosmetic treatments can help when hair loss affects your face.…Learn More
 <h2>Patchy Alopecia Areata</h2>Patchy alopecia areata involves patches of hair loss on the scalp, and sometimes in other areas of the body. This is the most common type of AA, and it tends to cause hair to fall out in the size of coins.
These cosmetic treatments can help when hair loss affects your face.…Learn More

Patchy Alopecia Areata

Patchy alopecia areata involves patches of hair loss on the scalp, and sometimes in other areas of the body. This is the most common type of AA, and it tends to cause hair to fall out in the size of coins.
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Henry Schmidt 15 minutes ago
“Alopecia areata represents a spectrum of disease,” says Dr. Craiglow. “Most people have mild...
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Madison Singh 4 minutes ago
You may also notice that the hairs immediately surrounding the patch(es) of hair loss are shorter, a...
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“Alopecia areata represents a spectrum of disease,” says Dr. Craiglow. “Most people have mild, patchy disease with one or a few spots of hair loss, which are often round.”The hair loss that comes with patchy AA is sudden, though some people report symptoms of tingling or burning before the affected hairs fall out. However, there are no rashes or scars at the site of hair loss.
“Alopecia areata represents a spectrum of disease,” says Dr. Craiglow. “Most people have mild, patchy disease with one or a few spots of hair loss, which are often round.”The hair loss that comes with patchy AA is sudden, though some people report symptoms of tingling or burning before the affected hairs fall out. However, there are no rashes or scars at the site of hair loss.
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Charlotte Lee 6 minutes ago
You may also notice that the hairs immediately surrounding the patch(es) of hair loss are shorter, a...
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Mia Anderson 11 minutes ago
Sometimes, hair regrowth will occur within a few months, though new hairs may be gray or white at fi...
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You may also notice that the hairs immediately surrounding the patch(es) of hair loss are shorter, and may stand up straight like exclamation points. The progression of patchy AA varies.
You may also notice that the hairs immediately surrounding the patch(es) of hair loss are shorter, and may stand up straight like exclamation points. The progression of patchy AA varies.
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Brandon Kumar 6 minutes ago
Sometimes, hair regrowth will occur within a few months, though new hairs may be gray or white at fi...
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Lucas Martinez 3 minutes ago
At first, you may see a few small patches of hair loss that multiply, and eventually join together a...
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Sometimes, hair regrowth will occur within a few months, though new hairs may be gray or white at first. In other cases, patchy AA may progress to more severe types that lead to more widespread hair losses in other parts of the body. <h2>Alopecia Totalis</h2>Alopecia totalis involves more widespread scalp hair loss compared with patchy forms, causing complete or near-complete scalp hair loss.
Sometimes, hair regrowth will occur within a few months, though new hairs may be gray or white at first. In other cases, patchy AA may progress to more severe types that lead to more widespread hair losses in other parts of the body.

Alopecia Totalis

Alopecia totalis involves more widespread scalp hair loss compared with patchy forms, causing complete or near-complete scalp hair loss.
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Amelia Singh 24 minutes ago
At first, you may see a few small patches of hair loss that multiply, and eventually join together a...
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At first, you may see a few small patches of hair loss that multiply, and eventually join together and form larger patches. Overall, alopecia totalis is considered rare. In fact, one meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that alopecia totalis accounts for about 0.08 percent of all AA cases worldwide.
At first, you may see a few small patches of hair loss that multiply, and eventually join together and form larger patches. Overall, alopecia totalis is considered rare. In fact, one meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that alopecia totalis accounts for about 0.08 percent of all AA cases worldwide.
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Sofia Garcia 21 minutes ago
Nonetheless, the exact prevalence of this type of AA in the United States is unknown.

Alopecia U...

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Nonetheless, the exact prevalence of this type of AA in the United States is unknown. <h2>Alopecia Universalis</h2>Like alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis can cause near or complete scalp hair loss.
Nonetheless, the exact prevalence of this type of AA in the United States is unknown.

Alopecia Universalis

Like alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis can cause near or complete scalp hair loss.
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The difference with alopecia universalis is that it also involves complete or widespread hair loss on your face, as well as the rest of your body. This is the rarest, but most severe type of alopecia areata,
which impacts an estimated 0.03 percent of people who have AA worldwide, according to the same meta-analysis.
The difference with alopecia universalis is that it also involves complete or widespread hair loss on your face, as well as the rest of your body. This is the rarest, but most severe type of alopecia areata, which impacts an estimated 0.03 percent of people who have AA worldwide, according to the same meta-analysis.
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Between 30,000 and 200,000 people have alopecia universalis in the United States,
and researchers believe that a genetic mutation within chromosome 8p12 may be involved in its development. In addition to patches of hair loss on the scalp and body, alopecia universalis can cause an absence of eyebrows and eyelashes,
as well as hair loss in your ears, nose, arms, underarms, legs, and pubic area.
Between 30,000 and 200,000 people have alopecia universalis in the United States, and researchers believe that a genetic mutation within chromosome 8p12 may be involved in its development. In addition to patches of hair loss on the scalp and body, alopecia universalis can cause an absence of eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as hair loss in your ears, nose, arms, underarms, legs, and pubic area.
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Grace Liu 22 minutes ago

Other Types and Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

The primary forms of AA are patchy alopecia are...
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Kevin Wang 1 minutes ago

Diffuse Alopecia Areata

Diffuse alopecia areata is a less common form that involves sudden a...
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<h2>Other Types and Symptoms of Alopecia Areata</h2>
The primary forms of AA are patchy alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis, there are other important types to know, including diffuse and ophiasis forms. Also, AA can cause nail symptoms in some people.

Other Types and Symptoms of Alopecia Areata

The primary forms of AA are patchy alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis, there are other important types to know, including diffuse and ophiasis forms. Also, AA can cause nail symptoms in some people.
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<h3>Diffuse Alopecia Areata</h3>Diffuse alopecia areata is a less common form that involves sudden and widespread scalp hair thinning. This condition may also be misdiagnosed as other forms of hair loss.

Diffuse Alopecia Areata

Diffuse alopecia areata is a less common form that involves sudden and widespread scalp hair thinning. This condition may also be misdiagnosed as other forms of hair loss.
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Hannah Kim 11 minutes ago
“Diffuse alopecia areata presents itself as sudden thinning of the hair all over the scalp and is ...
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“Diffuse alopecia areata presents itself as sudden thinning of the hair all over the scalp and is often confused with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss) or telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss due to a trigger),” says Dr. Green. <h3>Ophiasis Alopecia </h3>Ophiasis alopecia also affects the scalp like diffuse alopecia.
“Diffuse alopecia areata presents itself as sudden thinning of the hair all over the scalp and is often confused with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss) or telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss due to a trigger),” says Dr. Green.

Ophiasis Alopecia

Ophiasis alopecia also affects the scalp like diffuse alopecia.
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Madison Singh 35 minutes ago
However, the associated hair loss forms a unique pattern along the occipital region of the scalp, wh...
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Harper Kim 49 minutes ago
Nail symptoms may affect 10 to 20 percent of people with AA, and may cause the following symptoms: E...
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However, the associated hair loss forms a unique pattern along the occipital region of the scalp, which encompasses the sides and lower back portions into the shape of a large strip. This type may also be one of the most difficult to treat. <h2>Nail Changes in Alopecia Areata</h2>Additionally, while not an official subtype, AA may also cause nail problems in some people who also have extensive hair loss.
However, the associated hair loss forms a unique pattern along the occipital region of the scalp, which encompasses the sides and lower back portions into the shape of a large strip. This type may also be one of the most difficult to treat.

Nail Changes in Alopecia Areata

Additionally, while not an official subtype, AA may also cause nail problems in some people who also have extensive hair loss.
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Oliver Taylor 64 minutes ago
Nail symptoms may affect 10 to 20 percent of people with AA, and may cause the following symptoms: E...
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Nail symptoms may affect 10 to 20 percent of people with AA, and may cause the following symptoms:
Extremely brittle nails, which may splitRed-colored nailsPits or ridges in the nailsTexture changes that are rough and may feel like sandpaper
 <h2>Summary</h2>
AA is an autoimmune disease that causes mild to severe hair loss, which may have a gradual or sudden onset. Depending on the type you have, AA can cause either patchy or widespread hair loss on the scalp as well as other parts of the body.Also, although studies have shown that AA is more prevalent in children than adults, this autoimmune disease may develop at any time. “Hair loss can be reversible with early detection and treatment, although some forms of hair loss are irreversible,” says Green.
Nail symptoms may affect 10 to 20 percent of people with AA, and may cause the following symptoms: Extremely brittle nails, which may splitRed-colored nailsPits or ridges in the nailsTexture changes that are rough and may feel like sandpaper

Summary

AA is an autoimmune disease that causes mild to severe hair loss, which may have a gradual or sudden onset. Depending on the type you have, AA can cause either patchy or widespread hair loss on the scalp as well as other parts of the body.Also, although studies have shown that AA is more prevalent in children than adults, this autoimmune disease may develop at any time. “Hair loss can be reversible with early detection and treatment, although some forms of hair loss are irreversible,” says Green.
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She also stresses the importance of seeing a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.

Editorial ...

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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. April 2021.Lee HH, Gwillim E,...
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She also stresses the importance of seeing a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis. <h2>Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking</h2>
Alopecia Areata.
She also stresses the importance of seeing a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

Alopecia Areata.
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. April 2021.Lee HH, Gwillim E,...
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Epidemiology of Alopecia Areata, Ophiasis, Totalis, and Universalis: A Systematic Review and Meta-An...
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. April 2021.Lee HH, Gwillim E, Patel KR, et al.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. April 2021.Lee HH, Gwillim E, Patel KR, et al.
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Epidemiology of Alopecia Areata, Ophiasis, Totalis, and Universalis: A Systematic Review and Meta-An...
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Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. November 8, 2021.Alopecia Universalis. Genetic and Rare...
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Epidemiology of Alopecia Areata, Ophiasis, Totalis, and Universalis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. August 19, 2019.Alopecia Totalis.
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National Alopecia Areata Foundation.Hair Loss Types: Alopecia Areata Signs and Symptoms. American Academy of Dermatology Association.Show LessNEWSLETTERS
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 What Are the Different Types of Alopecia Areata Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Hair Los...
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