Just Diagnosed

Alopecia areata is a common disease that results in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. There are three types of alopecia areata; alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.

Alopecia areata, the most common variation of the autoimmune disease, presents itself as round, smooth patches of various sizes.

In all forms of alopecia areata, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal. In all cases, hair re-growth may occur even without treatment and even after many years.

Alopecia areata occurs in males and females of all ages and races; however, onset most often begins in childhood and can be psychologically devastating. Although not life-threatening, alopecia areata is most certainly life-altering, and its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease. But there is hope. In all cases, hair re-growth may occur even without treatment and even after many years.

Society for Investigative Dermatology Designs Free App

The new app for your iOS device, The Skin Advocate, streamlines referral to patient advocacy groups for every physician treating skin disease and also for every dermatology patient. Please tell your medical professional about this app!

The app provides immediate access to contact information for dermatologic patient advocacy groups in the Coalition of Skin Diseases, including the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

On your iOS device, you can view a brief synopsis of the organization's goals, its website, contact information for the organization's patient advocacy contacts, and more.

This information can be quickly and anonymously emailed to patients and family members for their reference at home. The email will originate from the Society for Investigative Dermatology's server, so your personal email address will not be included.

You can also print it to an iOS-compatible wireless printer if a hardcopy is desired.

This free app is provided by the Society for Investigative Dermatology as a service to the dermatology community.