Alopecia :
Alopecia is described as an appearance or pattern of hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. The severity of alopecia may vary in some instances. In some cases, it is temporary, while in other cases, it is permanent. There exist several types of alopecia, but the most common ones include alopecia areata and is caused by diseases where the immune system attacks its own cells hence causing patchy hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia which is commonly referred to as male or female pattern baldness and this latter is often hereditary. Finally, there is the so called traction alopecia that is brought about by the tension or pull on the hair follicles. All variations of alopecia are the result of different causes but can be traced back to causes such as autoimmune diseases, genetics, hormonal imbalances, stress, and sometimes even medication. Some of the most obvious signs include thinning hairs, bald patches, or even hair loss in extreme cases. It may depend on what could be the cause or type of alopecia and how severe it might be. The common medicines given here are minoxidil and finasteride for hereditary hair loss, corticosteroid injections or creams for autoimmune cases, hair transplants or other cosmetic procedures for some, and hair care along with management of stress to prevent further hair loss or slow the progression thereof.