as a few patches here and there or extreme as your whole body. Only 7% of people with Alopecia suffer from Alopecia Totalis (total hair loss) (Safaur 1995). With most cases of Alopecia areata it lasts for many years and under goes some kind of cycle. At times of the cycle you may be re growing hair in one part of the scalp while in others the hair loss is developing.Along with much of the other research there is no set diagnostic test for alopecia areata. Dermatologists figure out that its alopecia areata by a process of elimination of other hair loss causes. The most common symptom or sign that you might have is a smooth bald spot on your scalp that occurs sometimes within 24 hours. Some people may even feel a tingling or pain in the affected area. Dermatologists can also perform a hair pull test, and if the hair comes out very easily that more then likely will indicative that there will be more hair loss. Sometimes in certain circumstances they have to do a small skin biopsy. They take this skin from your scalp and do some microscopic examination. They can see if your cells are doing what they should the right way. They can see if your hair follicles have the right antibodies that they need. The hair fiber that falls out is the subject of many studies in the Alopecia areata research. If the doctors use electron microscopy to look at the newest part of the hair follicle they can see if it looks UN usual or not. In most cases if you have Alapecia areata it will look different. If it looks different and there are deposits of keratin and constrictions in the hair fiber. At times the cuticle can be missing too and you can see the cracks along the length of the hair. With the irregular construction of hair follicles it gives the hair weak spots and makes it very easy to break off. When this happens in Alopecia areata it will leave an exclamation looking bald spot on your scalp. Some dermatologists also use that as part of the diagnostics. ...
