
There’s a link between the condition and individuals born with chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome.Īlopecia universalis appears to affect men and women equally, with no regard to ethnicity.However, the percentage of people with a family history who go on to develop the more advanced alopecia universalis is unclear. 10-25% of individuals who develop alopecia areata have a family history of this or condition or some other autoimmune disorder.Researchers believe there is a genetic component to the condition: Statistical analysis of individuals who suffer from alopecia areata reveal a few common threads that may provide answers to whether or not you are at risk. Who is at risk of developing alopecia universalis? However, some people do develop it without having a predisposition, which goes against the above theory. If you have a genetic predisposition for developing alopecia universalis, you would also need to have a trigger-such as a viral infection, hormonal change, trauma or even stress. The exact causes are unknown, but in general the condition is thought to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. The only other symptom that occurs is a burning or itching sensation in the affected areas known as trichodynia. Sufferers of this condition not only lose all of the hair on their scalp, but also their eyebrows and eyelashes, sometimes pubic hair, and even the hair inside their nostrils. The primary symptom of alopecia universalis is extensive hair loss. What are the symptoms of alopecia universalis?

However, it does mean that the two conditions are tied to the same underlying cause. Having alopecia areata does not mean one will inevitably develop alopecia universalis - on the contrary, the latter is exceedingly rare.

Alopecia areata - one or more round patches of hair loss on the scalp.As a result, the hair falls out and new hair cannot grow in the same follicle.Īlopecia areata presents itself in many forms, with three main degrees of severity:

Essentially, these cells treat the hair as a foreign invader and not as part of the body. T cells, which are central to the body’s immune response system, are present at the affected hair follicles and release inflammatory agents that lead to hair loss. This involves the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in the body. What is alopecia universalis?Īlopecia universalis is an advanced form of alopecia areata, and is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. Alopecia universalis will sometimes resolve by itself, although this is not the norm.If you have alopecia areata, which causes partial hair loss, you stand a greater risk of developing alopecia universalis.It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, and is common among people who have other autoimmune disorders.Alopecia universalis is a rare condition that results in the complete loss of hair on the scalp, face, and body.
