Hair Loss Health Center
Alopecia Areata
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Alopecia Areatais not the name you expected.
Synonyms
- Alopecia Celsi
- Alopecia Circumscripta
- Cazenave's Vitiligo
- Celsus' Vitiligo
- Jonston's Alopecia
- Porrigo Decalvans
- Vitiligo Capitis
- Alopecia Cicatrisata
Disorder Subdivisions
- Alopecia Universalis
- Alopecia Totalis
- Alopecia Seminuniversalis
General Discussion
Alopecia areata is a disorder characterized by loss of hair. Sometimes, this means simply a few bare patches on the scalp. In other cases, hair loss is more extensive. Although the exact cause is not known, this is thought to be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system, the body’s own defense system, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, the tiny structures from which hairs grow. Unpredictable hair loss is the only noticeable symptom of this disorder. Regrowth of hair may or may not occur. Hair loss is usually confined to the head and face, although the entire body may be involved.
Resources
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
14 Mitchell Blvd
San Rafael
CA
94903
United States
Tel: (415)472-3780
Fax: (415)472-5343
INFO@NAAF.ORG
http://www.NAAF.ORG
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe
MI
48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
800: (800)598-4668
aarda@aarda.org
http://www.aarda.org/
NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda
MD
20892-3675
USA
Tel: (301)495-4484
Fax: (301)718-6366
800: (877)226-4267
TDD: (301)565-2966
NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda
MD
20892-8322
USA
Tel: (301)435-3848
800: (800)422-6237
TDD: (800)332-8615
http://www.cancer.gov
MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/
Locks of Love
2925 10th Ave North
Suite 102
Lake Worth
FL
33461
Tel: (561)963-1677
Fax: (561)963-9914
800: (888)896-1588
TDD: (561)963-1677
info@locksoflove.org
http://www.locksoflove.org
Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick
NJ
08723
Tel: (732)664-9259
autoimmunehelp@aol.com
http://www.aininc.org
European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Jeroen Bosch Hospital
Dept. Paediatrics
P.O. Box 90153
Hertogenbosch
5200 ME's
Netherlands
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +31 73-6992948
info@esid.org
http://www.esid.org
AutoImmunity Community
Tel: (919) 552-9057
bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
http://autoimmunitycommunity.org
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 5/3/2008
Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

