Causes of Alopecia areata and risk factors

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles in the body, causing them to fall out. Because this condition poses a medical challenge over time, we will explain the causes of alopecia areata in this article, along with the factors that increase the risk of developing it. We will also discuss diagnostic methods in detail.

What are the causes of alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is classified as an autoimmune disease, meaning that the cause for its onset is the immune system mistakenly perceiving hair follicles as foreign bodies and attacking them.

When this occurs, hair begins to fall out in clumps the size and shape of quarters in limited areas of the scalp, or across the entire scalp causing complete hair loss.

Although doctors have yet to pinpoint the exact reason why the immune system targets hair follicles with such precision, genetic and environmental factors play a role in this. This implies that the causes of alopecia areata are not entirely clear, but rather a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Are there factors that increase the risk of developing alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata can affect individuals of all genders and ethnicities, but several factors increase the risk of developing it, including: 

1. Family history of alopecia areata, as the chances of developing it increase if a family member is affected.
2. Age, as the risk of developing alopecia increases in the teenage years, twenties, or thirties, with a higher risk of developing alopecia areata in children specifically.
3. Personal or family history of other autoimmune disorders, such as vitiligo, thyroid diseases, lupus, or diabetes.
4. Having conditions like malignant anemia, seasonal allergies, asthma, or hay fever.
5. Individuals with Down syndrome.
6. Smoking, as a study found that the risk of developing alopecia areata increases in smokers, especially those who have smoked for 10 years or more, consuming 5 or more cigarettes per day.

Is alopecia areata contagious?

No, alopecia areata is not contagious and cannot be spread through skin-to-skin contact or airborne particles.

How is alopecia areata diagnosed?

Doctors typically diagnose alopecia areata through physical examination. After inquiring about the patient's medical history, including the onset of symptoms and any family history of alopecia areata or other autoimmune diseases, the doctor will examine the nails.

Following the physical examination, if the doctor is unable to diagnose the condition, they may request the patient to undergo certain tests and analyses, including:

• Examination of the scalp for signs of infection.
• Taking a scalp biopsy and analyzing it to check for skin diseases.
• Analysis of a hair sample in the laboratory.
• Blood tests.

Hair loss is not limited to alopecia areata; there are many other reasons behind it, such as anemia, thyroid problems, iron deficiency, zinc deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, blood tests can help detect the exact cause of hair loss and rule out other causes.

Blazma offers a package of 7 essential tests for hair loss to determine the exact cause of hair loss.