What is the difference between diffuse alopecia areata and its subtype acute and total diffuse alopecia?

Question

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

As the term implies, Diffuse Alopecia Areata is Alopecia Areata that is Diffuse and more rare.  If the hair loss is total, it is called alopecia totalis.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Dear S1S2S3There are many types of alopecia areata. Here is a brief overviewAcute alopecia monolocularis. This refers to a type of hair loss where hair loss often occurs in 'circles' or patches.  It is often aysymptomatic meaning no itching or burning.  Sometimes a little itch or burn might be present before the hair is lost.  A person with alopecia areata monolocularis develops a single patchAlopecia areata multilocularis - similar ago monolocularis, except many circles form; two, three or four.Alopecia areata - reticulate form - hair loss occurs in a net like pattern all over the scalp.Perinevoid alopecia areata hair loss occurs especially around molesAlopecia areata totalis (or simply alopecia totalis). This refers to loss of all the scalp hair, but body hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are not completely lostAlopecia areata universalis (or simply alopecia universalis). This refers to loss of all body hairAlopecia areata ophiasis - this refers to loss of hair at the sides and backAlopecia areata barbae - loss of beard hairAlopecia areata sisiapho - loss of hair mostly at the frontDiffuse alopecia areata - a form of alopecia areata whereby hair falls out thinly all over the scalp, especially the frontal scalp without forming discrete circles. It can be challenging to diagnose as it mimics many forms of hair loss like genetic hair lossAcute diffuse and total alopecia areata - a form of alopecia areata whereby there is rapid hair loss followed by (usually) rapid regrowth. Patients often experience significant regrowth in 3-6 months. Hope this helps,

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

This is a known autoimmune disease that is spread out all of the head. Patients with this condition are not candidates for hair transplants because they reject the hair transplants producing a 100% failure. There is another condition called diffuse unpatterned alopecia which is found in women more often than men and these patients should receive a biopsy to rule out the diffuse alopecia areata. In either of these cases, men or women, we do have a cosmetic treatment for them that makes their hair seem full. It is called Scalp Micropigmentation which can be seen in the web reference below

What is the difference between diffuse alopecia areata and its subtype acute and total diffuse alopecia?

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What is the difference between diffuse alopecia areata and its subtype acute and total diffuse alopecia?

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