Alopecia

Definition: The general medical term for hair loss which can affect any area of the body but most commonly affects the head. A specific type of hair loss commonly termed ‘alopecia’ is the autoimmune disease Alopecia Areata. There exist a number of different types of alopecia, including the most common form termed androgenetic alopecia [ AGA ]which affects both men and women. There also exists other non-scarring forms of alopecia including telogen effluvium as well as a class of scarring alopecias termed cicatricial alopecia. Identifying the cause of hair loss is important as it impacts treatment.