Alopecia

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Alopecia or hair loss is the medical description of the loss of hair from the head or body, sometimes to the extent of baldness. Unlike the common cosmetic depilation of body hair, alopecia tends to be involuntary and unwelcome, e.g., androgenetic alopecia. However, it may also be caused by a psychological compulsion to pull out one's own hair (trichotillomania) or the unforeseen consequences of voluntary hairstyling routines (mechanical "traction alopecia" from excessively tight ponytails or braids, or burns to the scalp from caustic hair relaxer solutions or hot hair irons).

In some cases, alopecia is an indication of an underlying medical concern, such as iron deficiency.^[1]

When hair loss occurs in only one section, it is known as alopecia areata. Alopecia universalis is when complete hair loss on the body occurs, similar to how hair loss associated with chemotherapy sometimes affects the entire body. ^[2]

Well-known people who have alopecia include Pierluigi Collina, Gail Porter, Matt Lucas, David Ferrie, Patrick Stewart, Charlie Villanueva, Dave McPherson, Cho Ramaswamy and Duncan Goodhew.

[edit] Notes and references

• Alopecia Types - More information about alopecia and the various different types
• The Merck Manual's entry for alopecia
• Le Metric Blog - A blog dedicated to women who suffer from hair loss and alopecia

[edit] See also

• Alopecia areata

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