| Alopecia universalis is a medical disease in which the | | | | regrowth does remain however, even for those with |
| discomfit are unable to grow hair on the entire body. | | | | 100% hair loss for many years. Alopecia universalis |
| Alopecia universalis not contagious and is not caused | | | | may occur in more than one member of the family, |
| by any food. Alopecia universalis can occur at any | | | | and such families may develop other autoimmune |
| age, and is currently believed to be an autoimmune | | | | diseases such as pernicious anaemia and vitiligo. It is |
| disorder. Patients are usually otherwise healthy, but | | | | also more common in patients with chromosomal |
| have more thyroid disease and vitiligo than the | | | | disorders such as Down syndrome. Alopecia |
| general population. Those with vitiligo (patchy loss of | | | | universalis does not result in physical disability, but it |
| skin color) may also develop alopecia universalis in | | | | can be emotionally very distressing. |
| time. Aside from genetic tendencies, the contributing | | | | There is no standard treatment for alopecia |
| causes of Alopecia universalis are not known. It is | | | | universalis. Treatment must be proceed in order to |
| important that those with it are careful to protect | | | | maintain the hair, or until the disease has run it's |
| themselves from the sun, bacteria, and other | | | | course. Since treatments for advanced forms of |
| potentially harmful elements, as the scalp, nasal cavity | | | | Alopecia like AU are less effective, a wig may be a |
| and eyes are not protected. Like many other health | | | | good option for you. Many treatments have been |
| problems, it sometimes starts after a stressful event, | | | | explored, including immunomodulatory agents such as |
| but this is not usually the case. | | | | imiquimod. Some lotions applied to the scalp do seem |
| Alopecia universalis is the most severe form of | | | | to result in temporary improvement in some people, |
| alopecia areata. Many several with Alopecia universalis | | | | but the hair falls out again as soon as they are |
| are produce with some hair, but then begin losing it | | | | stopped. Medicines which are often tried include |
| very quickly. The disorder is inherited as an autosomal | | | | topical steroids and minoxidil, and irritants such as |
| recessive trait. Alopecia universalis is often discovered | | | | dithranol. The most successful treatment to date has |
| by a hairdresser, as there are usually no symptoms. | | | | been immunotherapy. Immunotherapy works by |
| The hair stops growing and then falls out from the | | | | provoking a contact allergic dermatitis in affected |
| roots. Alopecia universalis may be acute and | | | | areas by applying a low concentration of a material |
| short-lived, or remain permanently. The possibility of | | | | to which the patient has been made allergic. |