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ISSN 2063-5346
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Alopecia Areata Epidemiology and Clinical Features

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Ahmed Mohamed Metwally Ahmed1, Sahar Mohamed Abd El Fattah Al Mokadem, Abdullah Mohamed Essawy, Amal Ahmed Zidan
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.1.486

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by non-scarring hair loss on the scalp or any hair-bearing surface . The clinical manifestations of AA vary from small well-defined patches of hair loss to the diffuse involvement of the scalp or the entire body. The majority of AA patients experience unpredictable episode of relapsing and remitting. In a number of patients, it can be persistent, especially when the hair loss is extensive. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which hair follicles in the growth phase (anagen) prematurely undergo transition to the non-proliferative involution (catagen) and resting (telogen) phases, leading to sudden hair shedding and inhibition of hair regrowth. Unlike cicatricial alopecia, the inflammatory process in alopecia areata does not lead to permanent destruction of the hair follicle. The clinical manifestations of Alopecia areata are characterized by sudden patchy hair loss . The affected skin appears normal without signs of inflammation or scarring. Although a number of AA patients may slightly feel itching or tingling before the hair shedding, the majority of AA patients are asymptomatic. The scalp skin is the most effected, while other hairy body areas could be involved, such as eyebrows, eyelashes, beard and pubic hair.

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