Other Names for this Disease
- Alopecia areata universalis
- Alopecia universalis congenita
- AU
- Generalized atrichia
- Loss of all hair on the body
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Overview
Alopecia universalis is an uncommon form of alopecia areata.[1] Alopecia areata is hair loss of unknown cause, characterized by round patches of complete baldness.[2] Alopecia universalis, which presents itself as the loss of hair over the entire scalp and body, is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. While there is neither a cure for alopecia areata nor drugs approved for its treatment, some people find that medications approved for other purposes can help hair grow back, at least temporarily.[3] Since the hair follicles of individuals with alopecia universalis remain alive, hair regrowth may occur even without treatment and even after many years.[1]
References
- Types of Alopecia Areata. National Alopecia Areata Foundation. http://www.naaf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_alopecia_types. Accessed May 8, 2012.
- Alopecia areata. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001450.htm. Accessed May 8, 2012.
- Alopecia Areata: Questions and Answers About Alopecia Areata. National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders (NIAMS). http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Alopecia_Areata/. Accessed May 8, 2012.
Your Questions Answered
by the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center3 question(s) from the public on Alopecia universalis have been answered. See questions and answers. You can also submit a new question.
On this page
General Information
- MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
- Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
- The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Alopecia universalis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
- The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Alopecia universalis. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.
Resources for Kids
- The American Hair Loss Association Web site lists resources for kids with alopecia. Click on American Hair Loss Association to view the page.