Topics: Conditions and Diseases : Alopecia

Alopecia is a skin disease that causes hair loss on the head and elsewhere. It usually starts in childhood, with one or more small, smooth patches. The body's white blood cells attack hair follicles by mistake, which stops the growth. Most often this happens on the scalp, but anywhere that grows hair can be affected. No matter how much hair is lost, the follicles are still alive.