Alopecia totalis

Alopecia totalis
Alopecia totalis
	A woman with alopecia totalis
Specialty	Dermatology

Alopecia totalis is the loss of all hair on the head and face. Its causes are unclear, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. Research suggests there may be a genetic link: the presence of DRB1*0401 and DQB1*0301, both of which are human leukocyte antigens (HLA), have been found to be associated with long-standing alopecia totalis.^[1]

^ Colombe, Beth W.; Lou, Calvin D.; Price, Vera H. (December 1999). "The Genetic Basis of Alopecia Areata: HLA Associations with Patchy Alopecia Areata Versus Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis". Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings. 4 (3): 216–219. doi:10.1038/sj.jidsp.5640214. ISSN 1087-0024. PMID 10674369.

[1] Colombe, Beth W.; Lou, Calvin D.; Price, Vera H. (December 1999). "The Genetic Basis of Alopecia Areata: HLA Associations with Patchy Alopecia Areata Versus Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis". Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings. 4 (3): 216–219. doi:10.1038/sj.jidsp.5640214. ISSN 1087-0024. PMID 10674369.

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