Wisconsin Alopecia Support Group  

Wisconsin Alopecia Support Group - Alopecia areata may begin with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp that can progress to complete scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis). Although not life-threatening, alopecia areata it can absolutely change the lives of anyone who suffers from the reoccurring occurrences of this disease. One in five people that have alopecia have a genetic link to someone that also has the disease.

If your family member started losing hair in patches before age 30, your chances of this happening to you are greater than someone without the genetic dispostion. Alopecia areata occurs in male and female adults and children and can be psychologically devastating. The stem cells that continually supply the hair follicle with new cells do not seem to be targeted, therefore there is always the possibility the can grow back.

People who have alopecia areata may not have other autimmune diseases, however, they may have a greater chance of thyroid disease, atopic eczema, nasal allergies, and asthma. Alopecia areata may occur if you have relatives that have other autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anemia, or Addison's disease.

For the majority of people that suffer from this disorder, it is usually medically uncomplicated and it does not cause any physical pain. Because alopecia universalis is responsible for loss of eyelashes, eyebrows and hair in the nose and ears can make the person more suseptible to dust, germs, and foreign particles entering the eyes, nose, and ears.

This universal, unforeseeable and undesirable affliction has been diagnosed in a reported 1.7 percent of the population overall, including more than 5 million people in the United States alone. Alopecia areata  is a very unforeseeable, skin disorder that will cause hair loss on the scalp and possibly other areas of the body. The fact is that much of the public is still not familiar with alopecia areata, and it can seriously effect the performance at work or school of the affected individual. For some the change of appearance because of the hair loss is devistating and is considered a serious matter, the Wisconsin Alopecia Support Group can help.