Alopecia Areata.
Alopecia areata is an affection of the hairy system, in which occur one or more circumscribed, round or oval patches of complete baldness unattended by any marked alteration in the skin.
Upon what parts and at what age does the disease occur?
In the large majority of cases the disease is limited to the scalp; but it may invade other portions of the body, as the bearded region, eyebrows, eyelashes, and, in rare instances, the entire integument.
It is most common between the ages of ten and forty.
Describe the symptoms of alopecia areata.
The disease begins either suddenly, without premonitory symptoms, one or several patches being formed in a few hours; or, and as is more usually the case, several days or weeks elapse before the bald area or areas are sufficiently large to become noticeable. The patches continue to extend peripherally for a variable period, and then remain stationary, or several gradually coalesce and form a large, irregular area involving the entire or a greater portion of the scalp. The skin of the affected regions is smooth, faintly pink or milky white,
Fig. 38.
