How long can alopecia last?

People with alopecia areata typically have smooth, round patches of complete hair loss that develop over a period of a few weeks, followed in most cases by regrowth over several months (picture 1). However, alopecia areata may persist for several years and sometimes hair never regrows.

Will my alopecia ever go away?

There is no cure for alopecia areata. If you have a few, small patches of hair loss on your head, it's likely your hair will grow back within a few months. Your doctor may not prescribe treatment in those cases. For larger areas of hair loss, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections under your scalp.

Can alopecia last longer than year?

What is the outlook for people with alopecia areata? Thankfully, mild cases of alopecia areata often get better without treatment within a few months to a year. In some cases, patchy baldness may come and go over many months or years. The size of the bald patch or patches and how long they last are quite variable.

How long does an alopecia episode last?

How Long does Hair Loss Last? In half of patients with alopecia areata, individual episodes of hair loss last less than one year, and hair grows back without treatment. These patients may experience recurrent episodes of hair loss that spontaneously regrow or respond quickly to treatments.

How long does it take to treat alopecia?

Patchy alopecia areata

This is considered the most effective treatment for people who have a few patches of hair loss. In one study of 127 patients with patchy hair loss, more than 80% who were treated with these injections had at least half of their hair regrow within 12 weeks.

How Alopecia Works with the Hair Growth Cycle

What are the stages of alopecia?

Do alopecia patches get bigger?

Alopecia areata rarely causes symptoms. The only sign of alopecia areata is often sudden hair loss. The patches of hair loss can grow larger. Sometimes, the patches grow larger and become one large bald spot.

Will my alopecia get worse?

There are many types of alopecia. Some types cause temporary hair loss and your hair will grow back. With other types, hair loss can get worse, and become permanent.

How quickly does alopecia spread?

Sudden Loss of Patches of Hair

Bald spots may grow very slowly in one area or you may notice a patch or strip of hair loss that appears within just a day or two. In some cases, you may notice burning or stinging before sudden hair loss.

How often should you wash your hair if you have alopecia?

If you are experiencing thinning or balding, our Bosley experts recommend washing no more than three times a week.

Is alopecia serious?

Alopecia areata isn't usually a serious medical condition, but it can cause a lot of anxiety and sadness. Support groups are out there to help you deal with the psychological effects of the condition. If you lose all your hair, it could grow back.

Is alopecia caused by stress?

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease. It develops when your immune system attacks your hair follicles. This may be triggered by stress, and it can result in hair loss. Hair may be lost in round patches on the scalp, or across the entire scalp.

How do you stop alopecia from spreading?

What happens if alopecia is left untreated?

Severe cases, where the scalp is completely bald (called alopecia areata totalis) or where every hair on the body vanishes (called alopeica areata universalis) rarely recover without treatment. These types of hair loss tend to be long lasting or even permanent.

Can your hair grow back if you have alopecia?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that triggers hair loss in patches across the body. It can affect people of all ages and genders, but the good news is that hair often grows back on its own with the help of immune-suppressing medication.

What triggers alopecia areata?

Asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, vitiligo, or Down syndrome: Research shows that people who have one of these diseases are more likely to get alopecia areata.

What does early alopecia look like?

A common symptom includes small, round patches of hair loss on the scalp, beard area, or other “hairy” parts of the body. Those with alopecia may also notice hair loss and regrowth at the same time, but in different areas of the body. Hair may also only be missing from one side of the scalp and not the other.

Can alopecia be cured naturally?

There is currently no cure for alopecia areata, although there are some forms of treatment that can be suggested by doctors to help hair re-grow more quickly. The most common form of alopecia areata treatment is the use of corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system.

What helps alopecia grow back?

Prescription-strength corticosteroids in liquid form can be applied directly to the scalp. This is often an effective treatment for children affected by alopecia areata. Corticosteroid injections into areas of patchy hair loss on the scalp may help revive hair growth within several weeks in people with alopecia areata.

Does washing hair make alopecia worse?

No, washing your hair won't make it worse

"A common myth is that shampooing can affect your hair loss, but this is wrong," says Dr Batter. "You can shampoo as normal, as this won't worsen hair loss."

What are the 3 types of alopecia?

Most people know alopecia to be a form of hair loss. However, what they don't always know is that there are three main types of the condition – alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.

Will my alopecia areata spread?

Alopecia areata often begins suddenly with oval or round bald patches appearing most commonly on the scalp. Other areas of hairy skin may also be involved. Gradually, the affected skin becomes smooth. New patches may spread by joining existing bald patches.

Is alopecia areata itchy?

Alopecia areata is a condition that can cause small patches of hair to fall out. It can also cause scalp itchiness.

What should be avoided in alopecia areata?

On the AIP elimination diet, you will avoid grains, legumes, nightshades (such as potatoes and peppers), dairy, eggs, coffee, alcohol, sugar, oil and food additives. After a few months, you can work the excluded foods back in one at a time to figure out which foods trigger an inflammatory reaction.

What type of alopecia is temporary?

Most temporary hair loss is telogen effluvium — a type of nonscarring, temporary alopecia that's triggered by certain life events and changes in your physical or psychological health.