Alopecia
200129
222852864
2008-07-01T12:50:24Z
MER-C
1749459
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/82.19.74.215|82.19.74.215]] ([[User talk:82.19.74.215|talk]]) to last version by 67.240.190.28
{{about|the medical condition|the 2008 album by Why?|Alopecia (album)}}
{{Infobox_Disease |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Image = |
Caption = |
DiseasesDB = 14765 |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|L|65|9|l|60}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|704.09}} |
ICDO = |
OMIM = |
MedlinePlus = 003246 |
eMedicineSubj = |
eMedicineTopic = |
MeshID = D000505 |
}}
'''Alopecia''' or '''hair loss''' is the medical description of the loss of hair from the head or body, sometimes to the extent of [[baldness]]. Unlike the common [[cosmetic]] [[depilation]] of body hair, alopecia tends to be involuntary and unwelcome, e.g., [[androgenic alopecia]]. However, it may also be caused by a psychological compulsion to pull out one's own hair ([[trichotillomania]]) or the unforeseen consequences of voluntary hairstyling routines (mechanical "traction alopecia" from excessively tight [[ponytail|ponytails]] or [[braids]], or burns to the scalp from caustic [[hair relaxer]] solutions or hot [[hair irons]]).
In some cases, alopecia is an indication of an underlying medical concern, such as [[Iron deficiency (medicine)|iron deficiency]].<ref name="titleHair loss, balding, hair shedding. DermNet NZ">{{cite web |url=http://dermnetnz.org/hair-nails-sweat/hair-loss.html |title=Hair loss, balding, hair shedding. DermNet NZ |accessdate=2007-12-07 |format= |work=}}</ref>
When hair loss occurs in only one section, it is known as [[alopecia areata]]. Alopecia universalis is when complete hair loss on the body occurs, similar to how hair loss associated with [[chemotherapy]] sometimes affects the entire body. <ref name="titleChemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment - MayoClinic.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/CA00037 |title=Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment - MayoClinic.com |accessdate=2007-12-07 |format= |work=}}</ref>
Well-known people who have alopecia include [[Pierluigi Collina]], [[Gail Porter]], [[Matt Lucas]], [[David Ferrie]], [[Patrick Stewart]], [[Charlie Villanueva]], [[Dave McPherson_(musician)|Dave McPherson]], [[Cho Ramaswamy]] and [[Duncan Goodhew]].
==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
* [http://www.calosol.com/alopecia.php Alopecia Types] - More information about alopecia and the various different types
* [http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch124/ch124b.html The Merck Manual's entry for alopecia]
* [http://www.lemetric.com/blog Le Metric Blog] - A blog dedicated to women who suffer from hair loss and alopecia
==See also==
* [[Alopecia areata]]
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{{Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue}}
[[it:Alopecia]]