Alopecia Areata: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Alopecia Areata?
A dermatologist, a skin doctor, usually treats alopecia areata. This doctor can tell whether your hair loss is alopecia areata and what may help hair regrow. For a child, a pediatrician, a children's doctor, can also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is a disease that causes hair loss. The word "alopecia" means hair loss, and "areata" means patchy. Most people lose hair on their scalp or beard area, but hair loss can happen anywhere on the body.
Alopecia totalis means a person has lost all the hair on the scalp. Alopecia universalis means a person has lost all the hair on the scalp and everywhere else on the body. This is rare. Alopecia ophiasis is a band or strip of hair loss on the scalp. Alopecia areata cannot spread from person to person.
Symptoms
Unpredictable, patchy hair loss is a common sign. Hair falls out in small, round patches, leaving coin-sized areas of bare skin. Other signs include:
- Hair that grows back white or blond and finer than before.
- Nail changes, such as tiny dents, brittle nails, or crumbling nails.
- Hair loss on the eyelashes or eyebrows.
The hair loss itself is not painful or disabling. But it can change how a person looks. This can deeply affect quality of life and self-esteem.
Causes and who gets it
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder. That means the immune system, which normally fights germs, malfunctions and attacks the body's own tissues. In alopecia areata, the immune system targets hair follicles and stops hair growth. The condition does not permanently damage the follicles, which is why hair may later regrow.
The exact causes are complex and not well understood. Changes in many genes play a part, including genes that affect the immune system. The risk is higher for close relatives of a person with the condition. It is possible that things like emotional stress, physical injury, or illness set off the abnormal immune response in people who are at risk. Hair loss usually begins in children and young adults, but it can start at any age. People of all skin tones and genders get it.
How doctors diagnose it
A dermatologist can often diagnose alopecia areata by looking closely at the areas with hair loss and at your nails. The doctor may use a dermatoscope, a tool that magnifies the skin for a better view. You will be asked about your health and the diseases of close blood relatives. Sometimes the doctor removes a few hairs or does a biopsy, which means taking a small piece of skin to look at under a microscope. A blood test can look for thyroid disease and check iron and vitamin levels.
Treatment
No one treatment works for everyone, and treatment is not always recommended. With one or two bald spots that have been there for less than a year, a dermatologist may suggest a wait-and-see approach. Many people, especially children, regrow their hair without treatment.
For a few patches, injections of corticosteroids, which are medicines that calm inflammation, directly into the spots are considered the most effective treatment. The shots can hurt, so they are usually only given to adults. Corticosteroid creams that you apply to the bald spots tend to work better in children than adults. After hair regrows, minoxidil (Rogaine) can help keep the new hair.
For widespread hair loss, options include contact immunotherapy. A chemical is applied to the skin each week to try to get the immune system to stop attacking the hair follicles. Pills called JAK inhibitors also calm the overactive immune system. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three JAK inhibitors to treat alopecia areata. Baricitinib treats adults with severe alopecia areata. Deuruxolitinib treats adults with severe alopecia areata. Ritlecitinib treats adults and children 12 years of age and older with extensive hair loss.
When to see a doctor
See a dermatologist if you notice sudden, patchy hair loss. Tell your doctor right away if hair loss leads to depression or anxiety, because this condition can deeply affect quality of life and self-esteem. Keep appointments with your dermatologist, since some people with alopecia areata are at risk for other autoimmune diseases.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can do an evaluation and watch how the hair loss changes over time. They can also coordinate your care with a dermatologist and check for related problems like thyroid disease.
Common questions
Is alopecia areata contagious?
No. This condition cannot spread from person to person.
Does hair grow back?
Yes, hair can grow back. Some people who lose their hair regrow it and never have another episode. More often, people lose their hair, only to see it regrow and fall out again.
Is there a cure for alopecia areata?
At this time, alopecia areata cannot be cured. However, treatment can help people regrow their hair. Newer treatments are regrowing hair for people who were not helped by past treatments.
What is the difference between alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis?
Alopecia totalis means a person has lost all the hair on their scalp. Alopecia universalis means a person has lost all the hair on their scalp and everywhere else on their body. This is rare.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Alopecia areata
- American Academy of Dermatology - Alopecia areata overview
- American Academy of Dermatology - Alopecia areata diagnosis and treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
