The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. This is the most common form of autoimmune skin disorder that can cause hair loss on your head. Often, it starts with small patches and continues to expand.

This condition affects more than 2% of the population and nearly 5 million people in the U.S. alone. Since it is a skin disorder, alopecia is typically diagnosed by a dermatologist. Thankfully, it does not come with any rash, hives or itching. That said, exposed skin does need to be cared for. Though the condition has been labeled an autoimmune disorder, studies have shown that it can be trigger or exacerbated by stress.

Hair normally grows at the rate of a fourth to half an inch each month. the repeating hair growth cycle can be interrupted by disease, genetics, medications and other environmental factors. When hair is in the anagen growth phase the follicle grows until the catagen phase that slows the growth. Then, the telegen phase lets the follicle rest until the cycle begins again. The new follicle that begins to grow will cause the old follicle to shed. At any given time about 10% of your hair follicles are in the resting phase.

So, what is an autoimmune disorder? The body has certain defense systems it uses to protect itself. The immune system can sometimes turn on itself and begin to defend against the body itself. When immune response is mistaken or misdirected it is called auto immunity. Alopcia occurs when your body attacks your hair follicles.

There are different types of alopecia. Alopecia tolalis is the type that causes total hair loss on the head. if hair loss extends to the body it is called alopecia universalis. The other, alopecia areata cause random patches of hair loss. In all forms of alopecia hair re-grwoth is possible.