Hair & scalp conditions
Alopecia Areata
Dr. Rimma Laufer BritvaSpecialist dermatologist · Technion graduate · Kfar Saba
An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles
Hair & scalp conditions
Alopecia Areata
Dr. Rimma Laufer BritvaSpecialist dermatologist · Technion graduate · Kfar Saba
An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles
Specialist dermatologistAdvanced trichoscopyScalp biopsiesA personal treatment plan
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata
An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in localized, non-scarring hair loss. The disease affects about 2% of the general population and can occur at any age.
Causes & risk factors
- T cells and inflammatory cells recognize hair follicles as foreign and attack them
- Genetic predisposition - several polymorphisms associated with the disease have been identified
- Environmental triggers - viral infections and inflammations
- Emotional stress and trauma
- Hormonal changes during transition periods
Symptoms & signs
- Round patches of hair loss on the scalp or beard
- Ophiasis – band of hair loss in parietal and occipital areas
- Alopecia totalis – complete loss of scalp hair
- Alopecia universalis – complete loss of body hair
- Nail changes in about 30% of patients
Diagnosis
Clinical examination and dermoscopy (Trichoscopy)
Yellow dots
keratin and sebum accumulation in follicles
Exclamation mark hairs
short hairs tapering at the base
Black dots
hair broken at scalp level
Scalp biopsy in unclear cases
Treatment options
- Steroid injections to areas of hair loss
- Oral or pulsed steroids
- JAK inhibitors - advanced biological treatments
- PRP, microneedling, laser
- Wigs, scalp micropigmentation
Frequently asked questions
You can book a personal consultation with Dr. Rimma Laufer Britva in Kfar Saba via the website form or a WhatsApp message. The consultation includes an accurate diagnosis and a personal treatment plan.
