Alopecia Areata: Characteristics, Progression, and Associated Conditions

Alopecia areata is a common condition characterized by rapid regional hair loss, particularly on the top of the head, and can progress to severe forms, especially with early onset and associated conditions like nail changes, family history of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthmatic bronchitis, or other autoimmune diseases. Physical signs include large areas of hair loss, broken hair roots, and exclamation mark hairs, with histopathological examination revealing lymphocyte infiltration around hair follicles. The condition can affect hair on any part of the body, not just the scalp.