What is alopecia areata?
Associate Professor and Head,
Dermatology and STD Department, JIPMER,
Pondicherry
Q: I have some patches on my face doctor says its alopecia. The doctor prescribed injection for these patches and now I have been given the injection for 4 times and now except for few patches rest are filled and hair growth is normal. My question is what are the causes for this and any preventive measures for this, and the major concern is that is it possible that this will come up again?
A:Probably you are referring to the condition called Alopecia areata. Its exact cause is not known; it thought to be an auto immune disorder. Usually patients recover with this problem on their own or following therapy. Whether this problem recurs again is difficult to speculate. One should have positive attitude in life and hope that things turns out to be brighter than bleak. Most predictable thing about alopecia areata is that it is unpredictable.