What causes alopecia areata?

Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on June 16, 2025
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Alopecia areata, colloquially known as "ghost shaving," is often associated with immune factors. It is important to rest, ensure adequate sleep, manage poor emotions, and avoid anxiety. Additionally, consuming black foods can benefit hair regeneration. Topical treatments include minoxidil spray, dermatan sulfate chondroitin polysulfate cream, pimecrolimus cream, etc., along with oral intake of cysteine tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, and compound glycyrrhizin tablets. Support can also come from other traditional Chinese medicine treatments or physical therapies, such as local tapping with plum blossom needles, and the assistance of 308-nanometer excimer laser and intense pulsed light, all of which can improve scalp microcirculation.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does washing hair aggravate hair loss in alopecia areata?

The causes of alopecia areata are complex and mostly related to individual factors, so ordinary hair washing generally does not exacerbate the condition. The main factors are still linked to a decrease in personal immunity, genetic inheritance, lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body, or long-term consumption of spicy and stimulating foods, frequent staying up late, anxiety, tension, and poor mood. However, frequent hair dyeing or perming, and the use of hair products with strong irritants such as hair gels and conditioners, may aggravate the symptoms of alopecia areata. Once this disease occurs, it is essential to seek treatment at accredited medical institutions. With long-term persistence, it is entirely possible to cure the disease completely.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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How long does it generally take for a small patch of alopecia areata to recover?

Alopecia areata, commonly known as "ghost shearing", is often related to immune factors in its causes and mechanism of onset. It is important to rest and provide symptomatic treatment with immune modulation. Generally, recovery can be expected within about a month. Oral medications such as cysteine tablets, folic acid tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, and pimecrolimus granules can be taken. In the area affected by alopecia areata, topical application of dermatan sulfate polysaccharide cream, tacrolimus ointment, combined with the use of minoxidil solution is recommended to promote local circulation and thereby facilitate hair regrowth. Additionally, other physical therapy measures can be supportive, including traditional Chinese medicine treatments such as plum-blossom needle tapping and local intense pulsed light therapy. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What is alopecia areata a precursor to in terms of cancer?

Alopecia areata is a condition characterized by patchy hair loss on the scalp caused by various triggering factors. This disease generally has no correlation with cancer nor is it a precursor to cancer. Most of the factors contributing to the condition are related to reduced immunity, genetic predisposition, lack of vitamins and trace elements, consumption of spicy and stimulating food, frequent staying up late, and stress. Therefore, the treatment of this disease involves a comprehensive approach. It is advised to consult a dermatologist at a reputable hospital for a holistic diagnosis and subsequent treatment. With long-term persistence in treatment, the condition can be completely cured. It is also important to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits, engage in regular exercise to boost immunity, and ensure a diverse diet to avoid selective or partial eating.

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Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
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How long will it take for a patch of alopecia areata to grow back?

Alopecia areata, also known as "ghost shearing," primarily manifests as a sudden appearance of a bald patch on the scalp. The skin on the surface of the bald patch is smooth, and its hair follicles are not atrophied, so most of the hair can usually regrow. For typical cases of alopecia areata, where the affected area is not too large and not too widespread, if one pulls on the hair at the edge of the bald patch by hand after entering a stable phase, the hair is quite secure and not easily pulled out, indicating a negative hair pull test. After entering this stable phase, it is common for some fuzz or fine hair to appear within three to four months, eventually leading to the complete restoration of hair. However, in rare cases, alopecia areata can progressively worsen, increasing in area and potentially leading to total baldness, where all hair on the scalp falls out. This can also extend to alopecia universalis, where hair from other parts of the body is also lost.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does alopecia areata inherit?

Alopecia areata is not hereditary; it is mostly caused by personal factors, such as irregular and unbalanced diets, or consuming spicy and overly salty foods. Additionally, frequent anxiety, tension, and bad moods can also lead to the condition. Generally, by regulating one's diet and lifestyle habits, milder cases can improve without medication. However, if the symptoms of alopecia areata worsen and the area of hair loss expands, formal medication is needed. With long-term persistence, complete recovery is possible. During treatment, it is important to regulate diet and lifestyle habits, strengthen exercise, and enhance immunity, all of which aid in treatment.