Who Is Most Likely To Get It?

Alopecia areata affects an estimated four million Americans of both sexes and of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It often begins in childhood.

If you have a close family member with the disease, your risk of developing it is slightly increased. If your family member lost his or her first patch of hair before age 30, the risk to other family members is greater. Overall, one in five people with the disease have a family member who has it as well.

Copyright Notice:

Reprinted with permission from:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
NIAMS/National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675