WHAT IS ALOPECIA?
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes on other areas of the body. In fact, it affects as many as 6.8 million people in the U.S. and 147 million people worldwide. People of all ages, both sexes and all ethnic groups can develop alopecia areata. It often first appears during childhood and can be different for everyone who has it.
Three of the more well-known types of alopecia areata are
The recent introduction of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors into the management of alopecia areata constitutes landmark progress in the treatment of this common autoimmune disease. Although this most welcome new therapeutic option is only symptomatic, with hair loss typically reoccurring within months of the discontinuation of therapy, even alopecia areata patients with long-standing, therapy-resistant disease can experience impressive hair regrowth, which can exert a profoundly positive effect on the quality of life of affected patients. More clinical trials and research is needed for long-term effects of JAK inhibitors.
Three of the more well-known types of alopecia areata are
- Alopecia Areata patchy -- The most common form, with one or more coin-sized hairless patches on the scalp or other areas of the body
- Alopecia Totalis-- Total loss of the hair on the scalp
- Alopecia Universalis -- Complete loss of hair on the scalp, face and body
The recent introduction of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors into the management of alopecia areata constitutes landmark progress in the treatment of this common autoimmune disease. Although this most welcome new therapeutic option is only symptomatic, with hair loss typically reoccurring within months of the discontinuation of therapy, even alopecia areata patients with long-standing, therapy-resistant disease can experience impressive hair regrowth, which can exert a profoundly positive effect on the quality of life of affected patients. More clinical trials and research is needed for long-term effects of JAK inhibitors.
