Condition education

Alopecia Areata

An autoimmune cause of hair loss that is more than cosmetic and not simply caused by stress.

What it is

An immune attack on the hair follicle

Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss that ranges from small round patches to complete loss of scalp or body hair. It can come on suddenly and may regrow and recur.

More than skin-deep. Alopecia areata is an immune-mediated disease, not a cosmetic problem or simply the result of stress, and its emotional impact is significant.

Signs and symptoms

What it can look like

Smooth, round patches of hair loss
On the scalp, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes
Sometimes rapid or extensive loss
Nail pitting or ridging
Hair that regrows and may fall out again

Associated conditions

Comorbidities to know

Alopecia Areata can travel with other conditions, which is why whole-person assessment matters, not just treating the skin.

Autoimmune thyroid disease. A common associated condition
Vitiligo. Another immune-mediated condition that can co-occur
Atopic conditions. Eczema, asthma, and allergies are more common
Mental health. Anxiety and depression are common given the visible impact

The burden

Why it matters to patients

Visible hair loss carries a profound psychological and social weight, affecting identity, confidence, and mental health, and the unpredictability of regrowth and relapse adds to the strain.

Care has expanded

There is more help than ever

Treatment has expanded. Targeted therapies can address the immune attack on the follicle, with treatment choices that require accurate diagnosis, severity assessment, and monitoring. Specialty assessment guides the options and screens for associated autoimmune conditions.

How AURORA helps

Specialty care for alopecia areata, closer to home

AURORA connects local clinics across rural and remote Alaska to dermatology hubs, so alopecia areata can be recognized, documented, and managed without a long trip away from home whenever clinically appropriate.

How AURORA works All conditions

This page is general education, not medical advice. If you have a skin concern, please talk with a clinician. For a severe or rapidly worsening problem, seek local care right away.