The Umbrella Term for Many Types of Hair Loss

When your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, appears this type of hair loss named alopecia, which is an umbrella term for many other types of hair loss.

The damage to the hair follicles is usually not permanent. Alopecia is often treatable and has many causes of hair loss, but a dermatologist can help you identify the cause of your hair loss and give you the right treatment. Here are different forms of alopecia.

Androgenic alopecia

This is the most common form of hair loss in both women and men and it is hereditary. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, which begins above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic “M” shape.

Telogen effluvium

This disease is caused by stress or a trauma and this leads your roots to be pushed into the resting state. Telogen effluvium can be chronic or acute. This disease can strike women after giving birth.

Anagen effluvium

This form of disease refers to hair shedding which arises during the growth stage of the hair cycle. Anagen effluvium is also associated with chemotherapy. But when you will stop taking the medication, hair will grow back.

Alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis

Alopecia totalis is total loss of scalp hair and the othe one is total loss of body hair. The cause is an immune-system attack.