Alopecia areata is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes random patched hair loss and sometimes affects the nail. Moreover, it may cause considerable psychological and social disability in some cases. Therefore, the tendency to spontaneous remission and the lack of adverse effects on general health are important considerations in the management of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata causes hair to fall out in small, random patches, usually affecting the scalp but it can also occur in other areas of the body.
The nails are involved in about 10% of patients referred for specialist advice. The exact cause of alopecia areata isn’t known. However, it is most often diagnosed in (20%) people with a family history of autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. So far, there is no cure for alopecia areata but an effective treatment strategy can help the hair grow…
