alopesia

Alopecia, sometimes misspelled as alopesia, is the medical term for hair loss from the scalp or other body areas. It describes conditions in which hair is shed faster than it regrows. Alopecia is not a single disease but a symptom with multiple possible causes, including genetics, hormones, autoimmunity, inflammation, infection, nutrition, medications, and stress. It includes both non-scarring forms, where follicles are preserved, and scarring forms, where follicles are destroyed and hair loss may be permanent.

Common forms include: androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) with gradual thinning; alopecia areata, an autoimmune patchy loss that may progress; telogen effluvium, diffuse shedding after stress or illness; traction alopecia from persistent pulling; and inflammatory or scarring alopecias such as lichen planopilaris. Each form has distinct causes and patterns, and prognosis varies.

Diagnosis relies on history and examination, and may use trichoscopy (scalp dermoscopy), scalp biopsy, or laboratory tests to identify underlying causes such as iron deficiency, thyroid disease, or nutritional deficiencies.

Treatment depends on the type. Some conditions respond to medications such as topical minoxidil, oral finasteride or dutasteride for men, intralesional or topical corticosteroids for alopecia areata, and other anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating therapies for inflammatory alopecias. In scarring forms, treatment aims to halt progression, while cosmetic options (wigs, hairpieces) may help. Prognosis ranges from spontaneous recovery to permanent loss, depending on the cause and treatment responsiveness.