Alopecia totalis
Alopecia totalis is a medical condition characterized by complete loss of hair on the scalp. It is a more advanced form of Alopecia areata, a condition that causes round patches of hair loss.
Pronunciation
Alopecia totalis is pronounced as al-oh-PEE-shah TOH-tah-lis.
Etymology
The term "Alopecia totalis" comes from the Greek word "alopex", which means fox. Foxes are known to suffer from mange, a condition that results in hair loss. "Totalis" is a Latin word that means total or complete.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Alopecia totalis is the complete loss of all hair on the scalp. This includes eyebrows and eyelashes. Some people may also experience changes in the fingernails and toenails, such as pitting or white spots.
Causes
Alopecia totalis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system attacks the body's own cells. In this case, it attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss. The exact cause of this immune response is unknown.
Treatment
Treatment for Alopecia totalis can be challenging. Some treatments that may be used include corticosteroids, immunotherapy, and ultraviolet light therapy. However, these treatments do not work for everyone and may have side effects.
Related Terms
- Alopecia areata
- Alopecia universalis
- Autoimmune disease
- Corticosteroids
- Immunotherapy
- Ultraviolet light therapy
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alopecia totalis
- Wikipedia's article - Alopecia totalis
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