Causes for Alopecia Areata  

Causes for Alopecia Areata - Scientists think alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where white blood cells from the immune system attack hair follicles and keep them from producing hairs. Autoimmune disease occurs when a patient's immune system mistakenly thinks that part of his or her own tissue is diseased. The tissue is then attacked. The end result depends on how effectively the tissue defends itself as it tries to grow back normally.

There is no cure for alopecia areata and no drugs have been approved for its treatment, but some people have found medications approved for other purposes can help hair grow back, at least temporarily. There are some treatments for alopecia areata but it is important to understand they are meant to help regrow hair where it has fallen out and do not prevent hair loss. Minoxidil is FDA-approved and has been shown to improve hair regrowth in a large percentage of patients.

Minoxidil, applied twice daily, has been shown to increase the chances of hair regrowth on the scalp, eyebrows, and beard area. Reports have shown minoxidil is very affective for hair regrowth in which the hair follicle is small and not growing to its full potential. With regular and proper use of the minoxidil solution, new hair growth appears in about 12 weeks.