Alopecia Areata is a common autoimmune disease that affects the hair growth. Although this disease is only passed through genetics, but it differs from a single-gene disease. Both parents have to contribute a certain number of specific genes in order for their child to get this disease. Because of this it is rarely passed from parent to child. Now for identical twins it is much different. There is a very low chance that both twins will get it. There is only a 55% for each twin to get it.
How the disease works is the immune system mistakes normal healthy cells for foreign bodies and attacks them. There is a belief that it isn't just genetics it has something to do with the environment too. The good thing about this disease is that it does not reduce the life expectancy of the person at all. This disease as of right now is incurable. Although there are treatments offered that may help with hair growth. In some cases the loss of hair may only last a couple of months and remain dormant in the person for the rest of their life. …show more content…
The most common type is Alopecia Areata patchy. Which is coin sized hairless patches. The next is Alopecia totalis, which is complete loss of hair on scalp. The other and the least common is Alopecia universalis, which is complete loss of hair on scalp, face, and