Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease that results in hair loss in small, round patches on the scalp. It can also affect other areas of the body, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard. Alopecia areata is not contagious and is not a sign of any underlying medical condition.
The exact cause of alopecia areata is unknown, but it is thought to be related to a problem with the immune system. In people with alopecia areata, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing them to stop producing hair. The hair follicles are not destroyed, so hair can grow back in the future.
